Kerem Demirbay

At 32, Demirbay remains a functional regista in the Pirlo mould—his long-range and through-ball accuracy, combined with composure under pressure, allow him to dictate tempo and thread attacking transitions from deep. His real limitation is defensive liability; poor positioning in one-on-one duels and weak blocking mean he requires intelligent cover rather than solo anchor duties. For ageing midfield rotations in ambitious sides that can afford a playmaking rather than defensive investment, he offers high availability and pressing intensity, though his disciplinary record and moderate mental resilience suggest risk in chaotic or high-intensity environments.