Most underrated players in Premier League top six

Whilst Manchester United currently isn't a top-six team - in league placement terms at the least - they are still man for man amongst the best teams in the Premier League. And of course, Mourinho is one of the world's great managers, and possibly one of the greatest ever managers in football history. For these reasons alone, I will count them amongst the top six, even though their form of late hasn't been as good as the other sides.

All the same, despite the likes of Kane, Alderweireld, Salah, Mane, Firmino, Aubameyang, Lacazette, Ozil, de Bruyne, Silva, Aguero, Hazard, Kante, Pogba and de Gea, receiving rightly plaudits, there are others who do not get the same billing, but contribute as much.

Salah and Henderson - one is rightly praised, and the other is perhaps not given the billing he warrants

All top teams in any era have players who are unsung, or not as big billing as the star names. But they may, however, perform roles, or score goals, or do other things of note, which are vital for their successes. The Man United Treble team's stars were Keane, Sheringham, the Neville brothers, Scholes, Beckham, Yorke, Cole, Schmeichel, Stam, etc.

But they could not have succeeded without David May, Nicky Butt, Ronny Johnsen, or Ole Gunnar Solksjear. The latter scored the winner in the Champions League final, defeating Bayern Munich in the process.

Further examples, in PL history at least, include Gilles Grimandi and Gilberto Silva at Arsenal, Ivanovic at Chelsea, and Fabian Delph at Manchester City. They may not have had the calling of Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, or Sergio Aguero, but they still were elemental in the respective triumphs of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City.

So who, given the above points, represent the unsung players of the current PL big six? These are the picks:

• Fernadinho
• Henderson
• Dembele
• Monreal
• Alonso
• Fellaini

Here is a case as to why each is underrated, and how they support and enable their more lauded counterparts.

Mousa Dembele - Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane gets his rightful billing, as Spurs' best striker since (arguably) Jimmy Greaves. As an England forward, he is the heir to greats like Rooney, Shearer, Owen and Lineker, and is the current World Cup Golden Boot winner.

However, despite Kane's goals, there is a reason why Spurs have done well in recent years. This is due to a heightened midfield balance, in large part due to Mousa Dembele's presence.

WHY'S HE'S UNDERRATED?

Any good midfield must have a mix of attributes. As football ultimately is about gaining, holding, and utilising possession well to score goals, the midfield's job is simple. Mids must not just create or retain the ball, or win the ball, but ensure that they hold the energy to provide support to forwards and defenders.

Midfields in good sides must thus balance creativity with brawn or fitness, as too much creativity means that there is little combativeness to win the ball. Too much brawn means that once the ball is lost, it cannot be distributed effectively.

Dembele as a box to box player provides a mix of these attributes and ensures that along with Wanyama and Sissoko, Spurs can retain much midfield battles and provide chances for Kane and their other forwards (like Son, Eriksen, Alli, etc.)

Dembele's skills have also contributed to Belgium's semi-final run in the World Cup, where he beat England (featuring many of his Tottenham teammates) in both the group stage and the Third-Place Play-Off. As part of Belgium's current Golden Generation, he is a critical facet of this, and potential success at Euro 2020 and beyond.

Tottenham's team is arguably the most balanced in the league, and the composition of their midfield - aided by Dembele - ensures they are seldom out-competed in the midfield and are able to be consistent Champions League participants.

Dembele is 31 now, and may well move on from Spurs soon. But he epitomises the modern midfielder, or more appropriately the contemporary midfield footballing structure, via his pace, power, and strength, and passing abilities. It gives a solid footing to protect the defence, control possession, and help Spurs' forward line score and create chances.

Nacho Monreal - Arsenal

Since Nacho Monreal joined Arsenal in 2013, the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Petr Cech, Lacazette, Xhaka, and Aubameyang, have joined the club. These are all top stars in their own rights, but Monreal has been consistent for several seasons.

WHY HE'S UNDERRATED

Arsenal's defence has been much maligned of late, and rightly so. But Monreal is arguably - amongst others like Koscielny and more lately Sokratis and Holding - a shining light amongst this. The issues Arsenal face are collective in defensive structure, but individually there are often fine performances. Monreal shows time and again why he typifies this:

• Few errors

Whilst all players, from all-time greats like Ronaldo and Messi, to less stellar players commit faults, Monreal's big mistakes are few, and seldom cause goals or major scoring chances.

Many Gooners label him Mr. Consistent since they know he will generally perform to a competent standard, without any due stress or negatives resulting.

• Key goals

Whilst scoring is not the primary role of a full-back, he has in his Arsenal tenure scored numerous key goals in vital games.

The FA Cup semi-final vs. Man City in 2017 is an example, where he fired home an equaliser after Sergio Aguero gave City the lead. In the 2015 FA Cup, he opened the scoring at a 2-1 quarter-final win at Manchester United, and even this season scored a good equaliser vs. West Ham United at home.

Marouane Fellaini - Manchester United

Fellaini as of Nov 2018 - sans big hair.....

Now, let’s not laugh.

No, this is harsh. Yes, Fellaini is not the most technically able player out there. But then he does bring a lot to Manchester United, and there is a reason why Mourinho deems him a valuable component of this squad.

WHY IS HE UNDERRATED?

Pre-Jose, Fellaini got a good assist for Juan Mata in the 2016 FA Cup Final, which Man United won.

He is a vital cog for United, who can provide telling moments when required.He has proven his value at United, and has held his own at one of the world's biggest football clubs.

Also he’s got a number of late goals, due to his height, aerial ability, and capacity to hold up the ball for more “technically able” teammates. To assume he's a "joke" figure is harsh, since all teams require players of differing talents and capabilities.

Marcos Alonso - Chelsea

Marcus Alonso is Chelsea’s left-back and doesn’t get the billing of more attacking players like Willian or Hazard. Or midfield dons like Kante.

WHY IS HE UNDERRATED?

Alonso is pretty much an archetype of the contemporary full-back. He’s quick, strong, can defend well, but perhaps most importantly can get forward and score goals.

He scored the winner vs. Arsenal earlier in this season and has provided numerous assists for Chelsea’s more attacking players. There is a bias towards attacking players somewhat, and this is in part natural since they score goals, and often are the most exciting or flair players on a pitch.

But then Chelsea’s recent successes – such as the League and FA Cup – were in part due to Alonso’s contribution, which is underrated vis a vis his more forwardly-positioned teammates. Whilst all top teams need a Hazard, or a Kante, or a Willian, they certainly require an Alonso, or similar of this type.

Fernandinho - Manchester City

Manchester City has many stellar players. Aguero has been a mainstay for years and won them their first PL title. Sterling has emerged as a world-class talent in recent seasons, and Silva like Aguero has been a long-time star. de Bruyne also is a star talent, but Fernandinho offers the balance required for any top side.

WHY IS HE UNDERRATED?

A strong midfield must have a mix of creative players, defensive-minded players, ball-winners, and passers. A midfield must compete with the opposing team, and create chances for forwards. This is where Fernandinho comes in. He hasn’t got the technical skill of de Bruyne or Silva, but this isn’t his function in the side. One can argue that without him, the more technically able players cannot shine.

The record-winning Premier League winners cannot have scored as many goals as they did, or accrued as many points as they did, without the balance Fernandinho provides. It is really an ode to him, that the stellar forwards and creative midfielders could not ensure they were league winners, and potential Champions League contenders.

Jordan Henderson - Liverpool

Jordan Henderson is an England mainstay of late and shone in the country’s 2018 World Cup run to the semi-finals.

WHY IS HE UNDERRATED?

However, despite this, he gets maligned in some occasion. But it can be argued that whilst he isn’t as technically able as Salah, Firmino, or Mane, his hard work provides a strong midfield direction, and the ability of Liverpool to challenge for the league.

Liverpool’s midfield has the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita, Milner, and Fabinho, who all offer differing attributes. But Henderson is a player who whilst a box to box in form ensures that the ball is retained and can be given to more explosive players. He is a steadying influence, which can ensure that Klopp’s high press and pace style can be instituted to its full.

Yes, he doesn’t have the technique of Salah. But how many players do? Or should? All teams require balance, and Henderson certainly enables the likes of Salah to shine.