Ask any Manchester United fan who their idol is in the Premier League era, and the answers that get thrown around are David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, etc. Not many mention Wes Brown or Dennis Irwin.
The former group of players were adored by the fans and media alike and stole all the limelight, whereas the latter, though regarded as indispensable by the manager were highly underrated in the public eye and never got the adulation and share of the fame compared to the former group.
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Zinedine Zidane, part of the first Galactico era publicly voiced his opinion when Real sold Claude Makelele and bought Beckham. He famously quipped “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?” To put it precisely, for every Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo, there always is a Claudio Marchisio in the team.
Football is a team game after all, so it stands to reason that much of the good work is being done by the players who don’t create a 100,000 view Youtube video of a goal or a mazy dribble taking apart 5 opponents.
The Premier League has had its fair share of underrated players - Footballers who have been often overlooked, unfairly criticised and never get their share of the limelight. The underrated stars of this season.
1) Scott Dann – Crystal Palace
One of the most under-rated defenders in English football (overlooked for the Euros as well). A born Scouser, Dann is one of the most consistent players at Crystal Palace. A model professional, whose manager Alan Pardew regards as the finest central defender. Maybe, his unwanted record of having been a part of teams getting relegated in consecutive seasons (Birmingham in 2011, Blackburn in 2012) still hangs over him.
At 28, Dann has emerged as one of the leaders in the dressing room, an influential voice following his move from Championship club Blackburn Rovers in January 2014 for a measly 2.75 million. A Tony Pulis signing, Dann has become a vital member and was awarded a 5-year contract. He was courted by Chelsea this season, yet has been overlooked for England with pundits asking for his inclusion. A no-nonsense defender, he never takes chances and prefers to put his foot into challenges.
“Scott has been really underestimated throughout his career, but now I manage him I realise how good he is”, his manager Pardew commented after his fine defensive display against Liverpool.
2) James Milner – Liverpool
James Milner joined Liverpool on a free transfer and was seen as a shrewd signing by Bredndan Rodgers. His engine never seems to stop running and his versatility is a key asset for Jurgen Klopp and perhaps even embodies Klopp’s philosophy of determined, relentless pressing. The former Newcastle and Manchester City man has chipped in with seven goals, as his renaissance under Jurgen Klopp continues.
No doubt benefiting from his manager's total belief in him, the much-maligned 30-year-old created loads of chances for the team and racked up 14 assists in all competitions for Liverpool.
Milner has never and will never be the most fashionable player but what he offers should not be underestimated. He may not be the most gifted player at Anfield (nor was he at City), but he plays an important role in combining underrated attacking influence with defensive quality. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet when playing away against a bigger opponent.
Kloppo was full of praise for his utility man “He brings spirit, he’s a nice guy. With all due respect, I could speak for one-and-a-half hours about Millie if you wanted.”
3) Mark Noble – West Ham
A dying breed of one-club footballers, Noble has been a mainstay in the Hammers engine having close to 350 appearances & often scooping up the player of the year award at the club.
The Hammers’ very own, he was awarded with a testimonial for his 12-year service to the club. This year, though, with the influx of new players and a new manager, his place was under threat but Noble upped his game. In addition to the usual consistency, he has also added a bit of creativity to his performances.
In addition to his seven goals, the highest tally of his career, he also provided four assists in the Premier League. The 29-year-old averaged an incredible 2.8 tackles per game and 2.2 interceptions as well.
Noble has represented his country at every level from Under-16 to Under-21 but appeared to hit a glass ceiling with the last of his U-21 appearances in 2009. Even now, where he seems to be in the form of his life, he has been overlooked for the Euros leading to Merson claiming sarcastically, “We must have a chance of winning the Euros this year, If Mark Noble doesn’t get a look in to get into any England squad, then we must be very good."
How long till the 1st England cap?
4) Nacho Monreal – Arsenal
Wenger bought Monreal in January 2013, primarily as a backup for Kieran Gibbs but the Spanish international has gotten better season after season, he is now an automatic starter and one of the first names on the team sheet.
Monreal was targeted by opposition managers in his debut season as being the weak link (Brendan Rodgers used Luis Suarez on the right in that 5-1 game and Roberto Martinez weeks later using the same tactic). He has improved a lot and was also used last year in central defence when Arsenal had their entire back four on the treatment table. The stint in the heart of defence has certainly helped him improve defensively especially in winning aerial duels.
The Arsenal star has also become a good tackler and his numbers prove it. He has registered 38 tackles in the Premier League this season, which is more than any other Arsenal player has managed. He is also Arsenal’s lucky charm if the numbers are to believed.
He has the second-highest winning percentage of any Arsenal player to play 50 Premier League games (Edu had a win rate of 70%). And what’s more, the Gunners have never lost when Nacho has scored.
Everything about Monreal is low-key. Even his social media presence which he runs himself. He’s hugely liked and respected by his team-mates. He has been so good this season that even Pirlo has labelled him “Faultless”.
5) Eric Dier – Tottenham Hotspur
Bought from Sporting Lisbon, Dier was primarily utilised in defence last season. The arrival of Toby Alderweireld and Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical modification pushed him further up where he started the season in the defensive midfield role.
The English star has made the position his own as the season has progressed, protecting the back-four, thereby making Spurs’ defence the meanest in the league and also playing a massive 51 games across all competitions. He also adapts to the requirements, slipping back between the back two occasionally and playing the sweeper role. Dier has been one of the main reasons for Spurs’ sustained title push.
Spurs are usually known to be soft but Dier has added steel in the middle. A shoo-in to take on the defensive midfield role England has been crying out for since the premature end of Owen Hargreaves’ career.
