As a Manchester-born football analyst with five years tracking elite defenders, I’ve seen my fair share of central backs. But Janik Schlotterbeck stands out—not just for his physical traits, but for the raw gamble he represents. Standing tall at 1.90m with elite aerial ability, laser-guided left-foot passing, and surprising agility, he’s the kind of player clubs dream about. But one torn meniscus later—and suddenly he’s not just a talent; he’s a calculated risk. Let’s break down why Schlotterbeck is both brilliant and brittle.