Aissa Mandi

Aissa Mandi is Algeria's most experienced and decorated defender, a composed ball-playing centre-back who spent four years at Real Betis before moving to Villarreal and then Lille. A cornerstone of the 2019 AFCON-winning squad, he brings over a decade of top-level Spanish and French football to Petkovic's backline. His ability to play out from the back with authority and organise a defensive line under pressure has made him a consistent starter across multiple managerial regimes. At 34, he is approaching the end of his international career, but his leadership and LaLiga experience remain invaluable to a squad rebuilding around younger talent.