UNSUNG HEROES OF THE LEAGUE
THE likes of Sergio Aguero, Alexis Sanchez and Phillippe Coutinho will never be short of superlatives, with managers, players, pundits and fans queueing up to praise the Premier League’s superstars.
But there are plenty of unsung heroes plying their trade in the top flight, turning in consistently strong performances but never quite grabbing the attention like their more illustrious team-mates – usually because they score fewer goals.
So who are the most underrated players in the Premier League? Sportsmail asked our team of experts to name their favourites...
OLIVER HOLT: Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham): Kouyate has plenty of admirers but I’ve never felt he quite gets the credit he deserves.
It’s right that praise is showered on Dimitri Payet but Kouyate is just as important to West Ham. He’s got all the qualities to be one of the best midfielders in the league.
MATT BARLOW: Steven Davis (Southampton): He passes, tackles, creates and chips in with a goal here and there.
Moreover he is vital to the balance of the team. Arrived under the radar on a free from Rangers and has provided great service with his unfussy but efficient style.
SAMI MOKBEL: Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough): The centre back has a big future ahead and played a key role in easing Boro back into the Premier League.
He’s been magnificent for Aitor Karanka’s men in recent weeks, particularly against Arsenal and Manchester City. Only a matter of time before he breaks into the England squad.
ROB DRAPER: Harry Arter (Bournemouth): Having come to the Premier League via Staines, Welling and Woking, and now hitting a peak at the age of 26, Arter looks the latest to follow in Jamie Vardy’s tracks from non-league to stardom.
He is integral to Bournemouth and his energy is extraordinary. More goals might be expected from a midfielder but he looks like the glue that holds the team together.
I also have a soft spot for Gylfi Sigurdsson but Swansea’s form at present means it probably isn’t the time to push his case.
JOE BERNSTEIN: Dean Marney (Burnley): Every time I watch Burnley, I’m impressed by the consistency and influence of midfielder Dean Marney. His work-rate and tackling are exemplary and going the other way he rarely loses the ball.
If you think Mark Noble is under-rated, double that for Marney. The 32-year-old is a proper Premier League player and a major reason Burnley are in the top half.
DOMINIC KING: James Milner (Liverpool): Everyone is enthralled by the way Liverpool’s forwards are playing, while Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are getting rave reviews, too.
But what about the veteran who has quietly slipped into a new position and has been performing to such a standard that he has run some games from left back?
Milner has been outstanding so far, showing why Jurgen Klopp didn’t want to enter the transfer window for a new left back. He’s scored three goals, chipped in with several assists but, more than anything, his performance level has never dropped.
He might not get the headlines but Liverpool wouldn’t function as impressively as they are without him.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Joe Allen (Stoke): Underused and underappreciated at Liverpool, he has proved to be an exceptional signing by Stoke. His vision and eye for a pass through tight spaces is as good as any player in the Premier League.
With four goals and two assists he has followed on seamlessly from his excellent Euro 2016 campaign with Wales.
ADAM CRAFTON: Fernandinho (Manchester City): The Brazilian is consistently excellent in the Manchester City midfield. Tenacious in the tackle and smooth in possession, it’s not a surprise that Pep Guardiola has taken to him so quickly. Just a shame he doesn’t score more goals.
Special mentions to Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla and Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele, whose teams do not function anywhere near as well without their presence.
MIKE KEEGAN: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City): Signed for City the day before the Abu Dhabi takeover went through and, for me, remains criminally underrated outside the blue half of Manchester.
A warrior full back who gives 100 per cent every time he plays and who, despite his advancing years, has turned Pep Guardiola’s head. Magnificent in the Barcelona win - and don’t rule out a new contract.
LAURIE WHITWELL: Jonny Evans (West Brom): The former Manchester United academy graduate is a totem at the back for West Brom, composed on the ball yet defensively gnarled. Hardly ever seems to make a mistake.
Has played centre back, left back and at the base of midfield for Tony Pulis and at present would walk into his former side’s first team. Gives West Brom a real sense of class.
MARTHA KELNER: James Milner (Liverpool): The man who inspired the ‘Boring Milner’ social media offshoot has been anything but run of the mill this season.
Could have been marginalised by Jurgen Klopp with so many incredible midfielders in that Liverpool team but he’s found a way to separate himself from the other left backs at the club through his work ethic, determination and selflessness. The ultimate club man.
CRAIG HOPE: Jeff Hendrick (Burnley): I’ve watched him for two years with Ireland now and he has been consistently their best player, even when he was with Derby in the Championship.
He has taken to the Premier League brilliantly and, at 24, still has his best years ahead of him. He can score goals, tackle, dribble and gets around the park. He will end up at a top-eight club in the next couple of years.
JACK GAUGHAN: Fernandinho (Manchester City): The Brazilian has been the heartbeat of City’s side for a good few seasons and is now in a system under Pep Guardiola which allows him to thrive more than ever before.
Fernandinho’s intelligence has seen him plug midfield holes but he’s now enjoying having more of a say in an attacking sense.