Luka Hyrylainen (2005) - DM/CB - TSG Hoffenheim (Bundesliga, Band 1) - Contract Expiry: 2026

Giant Finnish defensive midfielder with a year left on his deal. Previously linked with Chelsea, are his sights set low enough for Championship interest?

We have ourselves a case here that is quite fascinating in a few perspectives.

Luka Hyryläinen is a Finnish U21 international who was picked up by Hoffenheim as a teenager, amid links to Chelsea, but he has not forced his way into first team thinking (yet) for the Bundesliga side, and has not (yet) picked up a senior cap.

One of the central defenders that stand in Hyryläinen's way in the national team, Arttu Hoskonen, has just signed for Stockport County who have clear aspirations of Championship football next season, but, I think it would be fair to say, don’t have an average Championship budget yet.

Hyryläinen is a physical beast. Standing at almost 2 metres tall one would expect him to be a central defender through and through, but for Ulm last season in 2.Bundesliga he played almost exclusively in midfield. His data is outstanding, but he is not an all-rounder, his best roles are clearly physically based, a defensive screen or a ball winner in duels.