Max Finkgräfe

Our verdict is clear: Max Finkgräfe is carving out his niche as Leipzig's Bronze-tier utility man. The 22-year-old arrived from FC Köln in a four-million-euro summer move and is steadily adapting to his new surroundings. He brings crucial tactical flexibility.

Our sample size is still emerging, but the trajectory is impossible to ignore. Ten appearances and 307 minutes on the pitch mark him as a reliable contributor. He is firmly on a hot streak. One goal and one assist over his latest stretch of matches highlight a player finding his rhythm. While his base ability is still considered modest, a massive surge in his form tells the real story. He steps up exactly when and where the squad needs him most.

His three-million-euro market valuation registers a downward trend from his transition period. That should correct itself soon. If he maintains this high level of application, he will prove to be a highly astute piece of squad building.