5 underrated players who have been brilliant this season

What makes a player under-rated? Any player who does not receive recognition, merit and deserves praise for their consistent and reliable displays - where hard work goes unnoticed.

There are plenty of players who flourish in less celebrated roles that deserve more credit for making their respective teams tick.

Often overshadowed by the superstars in top sides, we've assembled a list of five players here who have been in excellent form so far this campaign but haven't quite gathered the attention their performances deserve.

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#5 Abdoulaye Doucouré (Watford)

He has been in great form for Watford this season.

Many of you probably weren't expecting Abdoulaye Doucouré to make a spot in this five unless of course, you are a Watford fan. The 25-year-old former French youth international was signed by Watford from Rennes showed signs of how good he was during his 20 league appearances last season.

This campaign he has been an absolute titan in the Hornets' midfield, dominating games with a surprising seven goals and further two assists. Doucouré has the outstanding ability to control games, with under-rated technical quality too. Currently, he's averaging 62.2 passes per game with 83% passing accuracy, 1.2 key passes and also spraying 2.3 accurate long balls.

He continues to show his ability, looking like a player destined to play at the highest level with Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal all expressing their interest in the midfielder.

#4 Idrissa Gueye (Everton)

Gueye deserves to be classed in the same league as players including midfield counterpart N'Golo Kanté.

Currently playing his trade with Everton, Idrissa Gueye is another midfielder on this list who deserves more credit for his performances - as well as the influence he has on the Toffees' stability in the middle of the park. One of Europe's best ball-winning midfielders, he's tireless, hard-working and it shows in his tackles.

The 28-year-old has an average of 3.8 successful tackles per 90 this season, which is more than Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté - the Frenchman, in comparison, is widely regarded as one of the world's best in his position.

According to statistics from 2016, he was the most successful at tackles and interceptions combined throughout the year. Gueye made 176 tackles and 124 interceptions, at a rate of 8.25 tackles and interceptions (combined) per 90.

Outside England, Gueye remains an under-rated player, perhaps due to his lack of exposure on the European scene. Defensive midfielders are often the best examples of talented players whose good work often goes unnoticed, Gueye is no exception here.

#3 Daniel Parejo (Valencia)

He is currently one of the best midfielders in La Liga

Daniel "Dani" Parejo Muñoz is a Real Madrid youth product and is currently the captain of Valencia. The Spanish midfielder is one of La Liga's best in his position and has technical abilities of an old-fashioned playmaker in his arsenal.

Parejo has not received the same level of attention as compatriots who play in the same position as him, evidenced by his lack of senior caps for La Roja to date. He's still uncapped, but nonetheless, continues to improve and mature his game into one that Valencia have benefited massively from.

With seven goals, six assists and 1.8 key passes per game, he's also an accurate passer of the ball. His 86.1% pass completion rate justifies this, while he does well to also maintain a defensive edge when team-mates are out of possession - making 2.6 tackles as well as an interception on average every 90 minutes.

The 28-year-old is also a set-piece specialist, able to deliver dangerous balls into the area and equally finding the back of the net from dead ball situations. Surprisingly though, he's yet to receive the plaudits he deserves.

#2 Son Heung-Min (Tottenham)

A versatile player, Son's efforts in the final third have often gone unnoticed

Son Heung-Min, at 25, is rightly described as Asia's biggest star at the moment and continues his development in one of the world's toughest leagues. There are few players who can match the winger in terms of goals, displays and overall contribution to their respective sides.

A versatile attacker, his ability to use both feet equally well is a useful asset for manager Mauricio Pochettino to utilise. With explosive pace, excellent positional awareness and finishing which continues to improve, he's a genuine counter-attacking threat.

This season alone, he has netted 18 goals and created nine assists across all competitions for Tottenham. On average, he takes 2.5 shots, has 85.5% passing accuracy and 1.8 successful dribbles.

Despite playing in a highly popular league, Son doesn't appear to get the praise he truly deserves.

#1 Florian Thauvin (Marseille)

The left-footed winger has jaw-dropping close control and continues to improve

Marseille are on course to finish in the Champions League places for the first time since the 2012/13 campaign - the key reason for this is the phenomenal form of 25-year-old winger Florian Thauvin.

So far this campaign, he's been a sensation, having netted 18 goals and created 16 more in 42 appearances (all comps). Ten of those, have been Man of the Match performances, no less.

Discussing his importance to Marseille, his contribution to 27 goals in Ligue 1 this season (28 appearances) represents 44% of their total for the whole term.

His productivity in the final third has continued to increase beyond commendable numbers in 2016/17, where he was previously creating 1.9 chances on average per game. Now, he's creating 2.5 per 90 and only Augsburg's Philipp Max, Lionel Messi (both 12), Neymar (13) and Kevin de Bruyne (14) have more in Europe's top five leagues.

Despite his market value going up - unsurprisingly - this proves that his performances have gone unnoticed by many football supporters and critics alike, besides former club Newcastle, where he infamously struggled for form and regular minutes before returning to France in 2016.