Premier League is dubbed as the most competitive of the top five leagues in Europe. Although Liverpool are making it look very easy at the moment, the battle for the remaining European competitions spots is heating up week after week.
As far as individual performances are concerned, big names are rightly dominating the charts as they are supposed to, but there are names who are integral in the success of their teams but shy away from the spotlight. We are going to discuss such names whom we can call the most underrated in the league.
Player: Todd Cantwell
Team: Norwich City
Norwich City are languishing in the bottom spot of the league and seven points off the safety zone, which, they are less likely to make. Among the players, Teemu Pukki did start the season with a bang but that was it for the Finnish centre-forward.
One player who has been a constant is definitely Todd Cantwell. The 21-year-old is composed on the ball, fast, bright and almost makes one feel that why is this guy playing in a team fighting for relegation?
He has played in every game of the season, played on either wing and has scored six goals and two assists. His goals against Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers show that he has what it takes to play in a top club. But will he? Only time can tell.
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Player: John Lundstram
Team: Sheffield United
If anybody would have said that Sheffield United would be playing in the Premier League in the 2019-20 season and would be ranking above Arsenal and Manchester United, not many would've batted an eye. But when Chris Wilder took over in 2016, he just did not build a team, he built a mentality. A mentality to fight for every ball and to make every attack count.
There are no big names in Sheffield United team who hogg the limelight, but one player who demands a mention in this list is John Lundstram. The 26-year-old is the very embodiment of the Wilder philosophy.
A player with a gut to fight for every ball, breaking plays and creating attacks from deep, Lundstram has made even the big guns stay weary of his presence on the field. He has scored three goals and two assists from the centre-midfield position and if that is not impressive enough, his 39 tackles in 25 matches only show his never-let-go mentality.
His contract will expire this summer, and it is needless to say that he will be under the radar of many top managers. After all, he is the dirty-worker who makes everything look beautiful!
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Player: Ricardo Pereira
Team: Leicester City
Since the arrival of Brandan Rodgers, the Foxes have looked sharper than ever!
Vardy is back in form, Madison is probably the best attacking-midfielder and the departure of Harry Maguire has been filled in expertly by Caglar Soyuncu. But one inclusion that has had an equal impact but is not talked about is the role of Ricardo Pereira.
The Portuguese right-back is one of the best in the league right now and expert in both defence and attack. He has 108 tackles to his names in 25 Premier League games, which is nothing short of impressive and his three goals and three assists are indicative of his attacking potential as well. In a game that is currently being ruled by the versatility of full-backs, Pereira might have some suitors who are also hiding from the limelight, just like him.
Player: Lucas Digne
Team: Everton
It was a tricky call to choose from Lucas Digne and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and it is former who makes it to the list.
Both Carlo Ancelotti and Marco Silva have placed their faith in the attacking and defensive traits of the talented Frenchman and he has repaid their faith with six assists in all competitions. Defensively he has put in an equally impressive shift with 56 tackles and 32 blocks.
Keeping him under the radar might keep him at Everton for seasons to come, but it looks highly improbable.
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Player: Joao Moutinho
Team: Wolves
Wolverhampton Wanderers are wreaking havoc in the Premier League this season on the back of a power-packed attacking unit of Adama Traore, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez. The trio has played a beautiful and creative brand of football since the start of the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s' team has combined the brains with the brawns with exceptional ability. While most of the part upfront is done by the above-mentioned trio, it is a certain 33-year-old Joao Moutinho who pulls the strings from behind the stage.
The veteran Portuguese came to play in the Premier League when most players opt for easier challenges. Although the decision raised multiple eyebrows and a lot of them questioned how effective would he be, he has certainly dismissed every question with his form.
Moutinho has not missed a single match since joining Wolverhampton last season from Monaco. In this season alone he has put in a staggering 72 key passes and 47 interceptions in all competitions, lodging seven assists in all competitions. No wonder the front three are dominating the opposition defences.
