5 world class midfielders who do not get the attention they deserve

Football is a team game. But more often than not, there are 2-3 players in every team who get the spotlight. While the top class midfielders like Iniesta, Verratti and even N’golo Kante run away with all the plaudits (and rightly so), there are a few other midfielders who perform just as admirably.

The five players on this list all go about their jobs with minimum fuss and are a manager’s dream. Definitely one of the first names on the team sheets, these understated world class stars definitely deserve more limelight and attention:

#5 Radja Nainggolan

Probably the best midfielder in Serie A at the moment, Radja Nainggolan’s all-action displays have been key to Roma’s good performances in the Serie A this season. The 28-year-old is at the top of his game at the moment and he is an integral part in the centre of the park for both Roma and the Belgium national side.

The best facet of Nainggolan is his well-rounded game. He is capable of contributing defensively, putting in hard tackles and winning the ball back for his team. At the same time, the Belgian is also more than capable of contributing offensively, often starting off his team’s attacks and picking out killer through balls.

Also, Nainggolan is already experienced at the top level and is definitely one of the most complete midfielders in the world. Chelsea are said to be seriously interested in the Belgian star and a move to the Premier League could well be on the cards for the 28-year-old midfielder.

#4 William Carvalho

William Carvalho is one of the most talented youngsters in Portugal right now. A powerful defensive midfielder, Carvalho does an excellent job in the middle of the park breaking up play and setting up new attacks for his side.

Carvalho has been linked to top clubs all over Europe from the past few seasons and he definitely deserves to play in a top team challenging for European honours. At just 24 years old, Carvalho still has a long way to go in his career and he certainly has the potential to deliver at the top level.

The Sporting CP midfielder is considered to be one of the best midfielders in the Portuguese League and his immense performances in midfield have earned him rave reviews from all quarters.

The Portuguese midfielder is calm and composed on the ball and he has shown maturity beyond his years with his assured performances. A quality midfield enforcer is a must for all the top teams and with Sporting reportedly resigned to losing him in the summer transfer window, it will be interesting to see how Carvalho fares in a different league.

#3 Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson seemed destined to be a Liverpool flop. Comparisons with Steven Gerrard early in his career did not help and while the 26-year-old struggled in the first two seasons, he has quickly become one of the most vital members of this Liverpool squad.

Thrust with captaincy after Steven Gerrard’s exit, Henderson has more than lived upto his role and is one of the most underrated and consistent performers in the Premier League.

Henderson has astonishingly completed 1700 passes in the Premier League (more than 300 ahead of Kante) and he has even won the ball back an incredible 44 times for his team. Playing in the deep lying number 6 role this season, the 26-year-old has shown an amazing capacity to read play and his tactical awareness has helped Klopp implement his system successfully.

The importance of Liverpool’s captain can be seen below:

Liverpool FC with and without Jordan Henderson this season. The stats speak for themselves.... [Graphic via Oulala] pic.twitter.com/hAEFabMYCC

— TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) March 28, 2017

While Henderson might never be able to replace Gerrard, the 26-year-old has grown to become one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. With the Englishman expected to return soon from an injury, Klopp will be hoping that Henderson inspires Liverpool to a top 4 finish in the Premier League this season.

#2 Blaise Matuidi

Defensive midfielders just don’t get their due do they? Frenchman Blaise Matuidi has been ever present in the PSG squad since 2011 and he has been one of their most consistent performers.

A master at reading play and making intelligent interceptions, Matuidi has been described as a “fierce and strong” tackler. Matuidi is adept at winning the ball back and starting off his team’s attacks. The Frenchman is also blessed with unbelievable stamina and his runs from midfield often creates space by drawing opponents out of position.

While Marco Verratti runs away with all the plaudits for his midfield performances at PSG, the Frenchman is also equally important and has played an integral role in the Parisian outfit’s rise as a European super club.

The 29-year old is definitely among the top midfielders in world football at the moment.

#1 Idrissa Gana Gueye

One of the best bargain buys if not the best buy of the summer, Idrissa Gueye has quietly gone about his work in the midfield and played an integral role in Everton’s good performances under Ronald Koeman.

A defensive midfielder par excellence, Gueye’s arrival at Goodison park from Aston Villa has provided some much-needed solidity and stability to the Everton midfield. The former Lille midfielder reads the game superbly and his interceptions and tackles have been invaluable. A player who is very similar to Chelsea’s N’golo Kante, Gueye is definitely one of the most underappreciated players in the world.

Most tackles won in Europe since 2014/15:N'GOLO KANTE (334)Maxime Gonalons (272)Idrissa Gueye (271)Gelson Fernandes (269)#CFC

— The Blues (@LondonIsBlue12) March 23, 2017

The Guardian recently reported that Arsenal are interested in signing the Senegalese international. However, the Gunners will definitely have to pay a hefty fee if they are to convince Ronald Koeman to sell one of his best players in the summer transfer window.