Amidst all the hype which surrounds players such as Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Ramos and many others, certain players in Europe fail to get the recognition they rightfully deserve.
‘Underrated’ or ‘overrated’ is a term used frequently and sometimes wrongly, but with the hype around some players, the players on this list are unarguably underrated and unknown in much of the footballing world.
Also read: Top 5 underrated strikers in the EPL right now
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On that note, take a look at five of the most underrated players in European football.
#1 Gylfi Sigurdsson
The first player is possibly the most underrated player in the Premier League, Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic international has an incredible right foot, perfect for deliveries, free-kicks, passing and most crucially, finishing.
This season, he has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists for his team-mates as he fights to keep his team in the Premier League. His form more recently has been superb with the midfielder having contributed to eight goals in Swansea’s last nine games with three goals and five assists.
If it wasn’t for Sigurdsson and his contributions, the team would be in an even worse place than they are already.
However, despite providing such quality for a team lower down in the league, Sigurdsson has slipped under the radar. It is important he now gains some praise for his consistency, which he has provided ever since joining the Premier League.
#2 Faouzi Ghoulam
The second name on the list is Algerian left-back Faouzi Ghoulam. Despite making a move to Napoli in the winter of 2014, Ghoulam is an unrecognisable name for many. However, the left-back has gained interest from teams such as Arsenal, Tottenham and even Bayern Munich after some of his performances for the Italian side.
The Algerian has assisted seven goals this season, with three of those being in just eight Champions League appearances, an impressive amount for a full-back. What this mainly shows is how much of a threat Ghoulam is on the attack despite only being a full-back. It also shows why Premier League clubs are interested in the Algerian.
Ghoulam is a rather tall full-back at 6ft 2, yet he is very agile and quick, making him extremely dangerous for opposition full-backs to deal with. Additionally, the 26-year-old is also very capable of doing his job defensively, suggesting his ability as a full-back is up there with the best in the world.
#3 Bernardo Silva
Whilst Mbappe, Bakayoko and Fabinho stole the headlines in Monaco’s comeback in the second leg of the Champions League at home to Manchester City, the magician who created numerous chances for the French side was forgotten about.
Bernardo Silva is a wonderful footballer who you simply can’t keep your eyes off. The Portuguese winger has been incredible this season and Monaco will have him, along with their other young talents, to thank if they clinch the Ligue 1 title.
At just 22 years of age, Silva has great footwork which allows him to manoeuvre out of tight spaces. Not only that, but for a very small player, he does not easily go to ground, often choosing to stay on his feet as he glides past tackles.
He has contributed to 15 goals this season with six goals and nine assists in the league, which are very respectable stats for a winger. Moreover, it is easy to see how talented he is with the ball at his feet. He is a player who keeps fans’ eyes fixed on him throughout the game as they wait for him to skip past three players in one go.
Silva is a player Monaco will struggle to keep a hold of if he continues to play the way he has been.
#4 Anthony Lopes
When you aren’t playing for PSG or Juventus or Real Madrid as a goalkeeper, it is often hard to gain the recognition you deserve. Anthony Lopes is somebody who knows exactly how that feels.
The underrated shot-stopper is just 26 years old and is number one at Lyon, a spot which he has had nailed down since 2013 when he was just 22. Having kept 11 clean sheets this season already, he is on course to beat last season’s tally of 13, suggesting he is only getting better.
The Portuguese keeper’s reflexes and shot stopping, in particular, are fantastic, showing exactly why he has kept so many clean sheets already this season.
It would be no surprise if, in a few years, many clubs around Europe come calling for the 26-year-old. He has ability in abundance and if he continues to play the way he has done so far in his career, he will go a very long way.
#5 Iago Aspas
Although he struggled when he moved to the Premier League, Iago Aspas is a very talented player, and the year he is having has proved that.
When Aspas made his move to the Merseyside, he showed a lot of promise. He was an attack-minded player who could play as a striker, behind the striker or on the wing, and was very good at doing all three. But, with a lack of appearances and often having to play second fiddle, the move did not work out.
However, in Spain, Aspas has always shown off his outstanding qualities and his natural ability to be able to score goals. Having contributed to 19 goals with 15 goals and four assists this season, Aspas is having one of his best seasons to date; he has made just 25 league appearances thus far.
The criminally underrated forward has been judged mainly by his move to Liverpool which did not work out. The Spanish forward has earned his first Spain cap since moving back to Spain and his best times are clearly ahead of him.
