The 2016/17 campaign of the Premier League has gotten off to a great start, showing no disappointment in the entertainment department. We have been treated to spectacular goals, outstanding performances and the sheer competitiveness that makes us love this league even more.
English football is graced with some of the biggest names in football, not only on the pitch but also on the touchlines. The EPL is host to quite a few managers who are considered amongst the world’s best by many. Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte are a few who have been newly appointed at the start of this season.
In a league that features the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Paul Pogba to name a few, it is easy to miss out on talents that would have held high regard in any other league.
We look at five undervalued Premier League players that deserve more than just a shout-out.
Worthy Mentions:
Virgil van Dijk
The Southampton player doesn't receive enough plaudits for his defensive heroics in the heart of the Saints defence. The Dutch international is one of the sturdiest defenders in the league with a keen eye for goal. His partnership alongside Jose Fonte has seen him grow in stature over the past year and has become a target for many of the top teams in recent times.
Etienne Capoue
The French international midfielder, Etienne Capoue, has been creating waves across the Premier League this season. Prior to this season, Capoue had only managed the solitary goal during his time in England but has now managed four in his opening five league games this campaign. A key ingredient in the Watford midfield, Capoue will look to continue his good form and get the recognition he deserves.
#5 Adam Lallana
Liverpool have been very impressive this season and are the second top scorers in the league with 16 goals. In their attacking-minded line-up of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Divock Origi, you wouldn’t bet on Adam Lallana to be amongst the regular goal scorers.
The England international has been in top form this season, scoring thrice in his opening seven games. Compare that to the six and seven goals he got in the whole of the last two seasons, respectively and you will notice the improvement in the 28-year-old.
Many criticised the Reds for overspending on the winger but Lallana continues to prove he is worthy of his £25 million price-tag. The former Southampton midfielder seems to be thriving under Jurgen Klopp’s system and is also close to cementing a place in the England squad.
#4 Troy Deeney
Deeney has been playing professional football for around 10 years now which has seen him climb up right from England’s League Two (Third-tier) to the Premier League. He was scouted by Walsall as a teenager, after scoring seven goals in a single game.
The 28-year-old signed for Watford in 2010 as has since been a key figure for the Hornets, while also scoring 98 goals in all competitions. Not your traditional forward who can knock in 15-20 goals a season in the Premier League, Deeney is often overlooked among the other talented strikers in the Premier League. His strength itself makes him a valuable asset in a physically demanding league.
He possesses the ability to play as a target man and hold up the ball while he is also capable of filling in on the wings if needed.
The Watford skipper has also gained a reputation for being a clinical penalty specialist. He genuinely tends to step up when his team most require it and has shown it this season, following Odion Ighalo’s slow start to the campaign.
#3 Robert Snodgrass
Scottish international Robert Snodgrass has been playing in the English circuit since joining Leeds United back in 2008. The winger has endured recurring knee injuries that especially affected him during the 2014-15 season because of which he was sidelined for well over a year, missing 63 games in the process.
The 29-year-old was injured in his very first game of last season for the Tigers and many wrote-off the winger, citing that he would never get back to his usual best. Returning to action midway through the last season, Snodgrass has done exceptionally well to reinstate himself in Hull and Scotland’s midfield.
The former Norwich midfielder, known for his ability in dead ball situations and a thunderous left-foot has started this season in fine fettle, scoring four goals in seven games this season, while also notching up his first hat-trick for the Scottish National team in their first game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
#2 Michail Antonio
One of the star performers of the new season, Antonio has quickly gone from Premier League fringe player to one of its well-known names. Originally a right-winger, he was used as a makeshift right-back for a large part of last season as well as the start of this campaign. His aerial dominance is proved by the fact that every one of his five goals has come off his head.
West Ham have been struggling to get their season up and running, with an injury crisis being cited for their downfall. Although, the Hammers’ poor run has done nothing to slow down Antonio’s form.
Antonio’s recent call-up to the England national squad was strongly questioned by the English media but judging by his impressive displays this season, the winger is capable of having a bright future with both club and country. Can he dig West Ham out of their slump?
#1 Fernandinho
The Brazilian defensive midfielder joined the Citizens in the summer of 2013 and has been a regular in the first-team ever since, making over 40 appearances for Manchester City in each of the last three seasons. While David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero tend to grab most of the headlines, Fernandinho’s hard-work is often left unseen and under-appreciated.
His confidence in possession, strength in the tackle and fantastic vision to pass the ball provides his team the freedom to attack throughout the game. Sitting just in front of the City back four, Fernandinho often acts as a third centre-back at times in Guardiola’s system, although he is also capable of grabbing a few goals through the course of the season, which makes him a valuable asset to an already impressive team.
