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Last week, Total Football Analysis published an article on Chema Andrés at VfB Stuttgart, who has generated plenty of well-deserved hype around himself in the 2025/2026 season so far.

Andrés isn’t the only young holding midfielder in the Bundesliga with a bit of buzz around himself at the moment.

Another is 21-year-old Bayern Munich academy product Aleksandar Pavlović (188cm/6’2”, 75kg/165lbs), who’s currently valued as high as €65m by Transfermarkt.

It’s worth reading this Aleksandar Pavlović scout report alongside the recently published Chema Andrés analysis, as, while they are two of the most exciting up-and-coming holding midfielders in the world, their profiles are in stark contrast to each other.

We described Real Madrid graduate Chema Andrés as “a traditional, pure holding midfielder, not a modern single pivot type.”

Aleksandar Pavlović is almost the inverse in terms of profile, however.

This scout report examines Aleksandar Pavlović’s style of play and role in Vincent Kompany‘s tactics at FC Bayern 2025/2026.

Werder Bremen were rather busy this summer, overturning their entire identity and style of play.

Long-time head coach Ole Werner and the club decided to part ways, which led to the club hiring Horst Steffen as their new head coach.

This also meant that the team’s entire style of play changed; their basic formation went from a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 to a 4-2-3-1, and they now play with a much more passing-centred style.

Ultimately, Werder decided to part ways with their star striker, Marvin Ducksch, who later joined Birmingham City in the EFL Championship.

This meant that Keke Topp, a 21-year-old, was left as the only striker in the squad, but Werder were looking to change that.

On Deadline Day, Werder Bremen managed to get maybe the biggest signing in the Bundesliga by getting Victor Boniface on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

Unfortunately, the situation did not unfold in a way that benefited either side.

Boniface played only 326 minutes for Werder Bremen, is still waiting for his first goal for the club, and has now suffered another knee injury.

Therefore, Werder Bremen officials spoke to the media about potentially terminating the loan early after their last game before the Christmas break against FC Augsburg.

Steffen wants a relatively rare type of striker: A roaming striker with quality on the ball, able to link up with the midfield and create opportunities by himself and not just finish them off.

He wants a player like his former strikers, Nick Woltemade and Fisnik Asllani, rather than an Erling Haaland-type.

So, in this Werder Bremen recruitment analysis and scout report, we will take a look at three potential signings for Werder Bremen who are available on loan or for a low fee this winter transfer window.

Fourth place Chelsea take on third place Aston Villa and João Pedro is expected to start.

Take a look at his 2025/2026 scout report, can he find the scoresheet today?

Riccardo Calafiori is going to start at LCB today against Brighton.

Take a look at our in depth scout report on the Italian, can he shut down Brighton's attack today?

Take a look at our Kenan Yıldız scout report as Juventus take on Pisa today.

A win for Juventus will put them in the top 3, can he get on the scoresheet for them?