Football News: Top 10 Underrated Players

Image from: freelargeimages.com

Top 10 Underrated Players

As always the difficult part is deciding who and what is doing the rating. So I decided to go with ones that have been key to their teams over the last season (or more) but failed to get the plaudits they deserve.

10. Aaron Martin FsV Mainz 05

For some reason he very rarely seems to get a mention when fans discuss left backs they would like their team to buy. The Spaniard is currently on loan from Espanyol and looks an excellent prospect, though, like many modern day full-backs, his defending is questionable.

9. Bernd Leno Arsenal

He is playing behind a completely disorganised defensive unit but is showing himself to be an excellent keeper. It is unfortunate for him that having the Keystone Cops ahead of him means he will never get the recognition he might otherwise achieve.

8. Aymeric Laporte Manchester City

The one defender at City who can defend and defend well. He also as good as the rest on the ball. Always seems to be overlooked when people talk about City's players, though he is a key player for me.

7. Saul Niguez Atletico Madrid

One of the best midfielders in the world but somehow very rarely gets mentioned as such. He is up there with N'Golo Kante as a top class central midfielder, except he is also excellent at almost every other position on the pitch.

6. Ben Mee Burnley

One of the best centre backs in the Premier League but very rarely gets the credit he deserves. Usually he carries his partner at the back but his partner will get the plaudits. He should have been given a move to a big club but it is probably too late for him to get the move he deserves.

5. Diogo Jota Wolverhampton Wanderers

He has been a revelation for Wolves this season, sometimes completely unplayable. It is amazing he is not getting a lot more attention.

4. Olivier Giroud Chelsea

He does not score enough goals, lacks the pace of many other strikers but he is an excellent, technically accomplished link man who is well suited to playing a false 9 role. Despite that, he seems to spend far too much time sat on the bench while underperforming players take his place in the team. Yet he did so well for France in the World Cup.

3. Etienne Capoue Watford

Capoue has been a big part of Watford's rise to compete for a European place, but has been completely overshadowed by by his partner Abdoulaye Doucoure. How Spurs could have done with him this season!

2. Raul Albiol Napoli

One of the foundations of the Napoli side but is unfortunaten enough to play next to Koulibaly who gets all the plaudits and recognition. Usually extremely reliable and very good on the ball as well.

1. James Tomkins Crystal Palace

Tomkins has become the key figure in the Palace backline, in the same way Zaha is to their attack. He has come a long way in the last couple of years and his improvement in defensive positioning is remarkable.

Written by Tris Burke May 03 2019 10:39:11