5 world class players who don't get the attention they deserve

Football is a team game, but more often than not every team has 2-3 standout players whom everyone always focusses on. The Messis, Ronaldos, and Bales are always in the spotlight while the players on this list might not get the attention that their performances merit.

Paul Pogba became the most expensive player in the world recently, but some of the midfielders on this list might well be better than the talented Frenchman already. Without much ado let us look at the top 5 players who deserve more of the spotlight:

#5 Antonio Candreva

Capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Antonio Candreva is one of Italy’s best players at the moment. A dynamic, tenacious, physical, and well-rounded player, Candreva is well known for his pace, stamina, consistency and work-rate, as well as his eye for goal.

The pacy Italian is also blessed with excellent vision and creativity, and his excellent crossing ability also helps him provide several assists to his team-mates. The biggest strength of Candreva is his versatility and he is capable of playing plenty of positions including those of wing-back, attacking midfielder, winger and even as a ‘false 9’.

Candreva has made a switch to Inter Milan this year and fans will be hoping that the talented Italian midfielder helps Inter regain its lost glory.

#4 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.

Juventus are said to be interested in signing the French midfielder and he would prove to be an excellent replacement for Pogba with many people believing him to be a better player than the Manchester United star.

#3 Casemiro

Casemiro plays in a position which does definitely not enjoy the limelight, but if you ask Zidane, he might pick Casemiro as the most important player for his system to work. The Brazilian played the role of the destroyer to perfection in the latter stages of Real Madrid’s 2015/16 campaign and was an integral part of Real Madrid’s renaissance under Zidane.

Casemiro’s positioning and tackling skills are invaluable to Zidane and Madrid look like a completely different team without him in midfield. The importance of Casemiro can be seen from the fact that Simeone picked out the Brazilian as the main threat to Atletico ahead of last season’s Champions League final.

Simeone was asked if Casemiro was important to Madrid and replied in the affirmative, saying “For the balance of Real Madrid, yes, certainly. It's going to be a very tense, balanced game. The presence of Casemiro gives them the possibility of regrouping better if they lose the ball.

“Casemiro makes Madrid very dangerous on the counter-attack. If you give them space they're very dangerous.”

Casemiro’s presence allows the much vaunted front three of Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo to play with full freedom. It also allows the midfield duo of Kroos and Modric to bomb forward and add numbers in the box.

#2 Radja Nainggolan

Roma might have crashed out of the Champions League after an embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Porto at home, but Nainggolan once again put in a top quality performance and reminded all of us as to why he is probably the most underrated player in the world right now.

A box-to-box midfielder capable of contributing in both attack and defence, Nainggolan is always willing to put in a shift for the team and is probably the first name on the teamsheet for Roma.

The Belgian midfielder makes last ditch tackles and scores spectacular goals with equal ease. He was also Belgium’s best player in Euro 2016 and it is easy to see why Chelsea wanted to secure his services so desperately.

Nainggolan’s all-action displays at the heart of midfield, definitely deserves more praise and recognition.

#1 Sergio Busquets

A major reason for Barcelona’s supreme attacking play over the past few seasons, Busquets is the unsung hero of this Barcelona side. The Spaniard often does the dirty work in the middle of the park without which Barcelona cannot play the beautiful football they are renowned for. Busquets is known for the pivotal midfield anchor role that he plays for both Barcelona and the Spanish national side.

A hard-working player, he excels at breaking down opposition plays due to his positional sense, defensive attributes, tactical intelligence, and ability to read the game. He is the reason Barcelona can play flawless tiki-taka without moving into their defensive half.

The importance of Busquets to the team can perhaps be best summed up by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. In spite of the rivalry and one incidence of a red card earned due to Busquets' play acting, this is what Sergio Ramos had to say about him: "There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets."

In a team full of superstars, Busquets’ contribution often goes unnoticed, but there is no doubting the fact that he is one of the most important players in Luis Enrique’s side.