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As football gets more and more business-oriented, top clubs these days look for superstar signings to boost their squad; both on the field and off it. From Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho to Real Madrid wanting Kylian Mbappe, these players tend to get more recognition than many others.
However, a team is made of 11 players, and every player is vital in making the team function. Few get their due recognition; many tend to go underlooked.
We look at the 10 most underrated players in football at the moment.
#10 DANNY INGS, SOUTHAMPTON
When Danny Ings left Liverpool after an injury-riddled spell with the club, not much was expected of him.
Initially joining Southampton on loan, he performed well enough for the club to pay £18 million to make the move permanent. In the season gone by under Ralph Hasenhuttl, the 28-year old looked transformed.
Functioning well under the pressing system of Hasenhuttl, Ings led the line extremely well for the Saints.
The England international played all 38 games in the Premier League, scoring 22 goals and providing two assists. He finished joint-second in the Premier League Golden Boot race with Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
#9 PAPU GOMEZ, ATALANTA
The talisman of an exciting Atalanta team, Alejandro "Papu" Gomez has been a fine servant for the Italian side.
Gomez joined Atalanta from Metalist Kharkiv for a fee of £4 million in 2014. The Argentina international has made more than 30 appearances in the league in five of his six seasons at the club, highlighting his influence. Currently, he is also the captain of Atalanta.
Last season under Gian Piero Gasperini, the 32-year old was utilized as a central midfielder, a left-winger and as a striker. A creative force with good dribbling and passing ability, Gomez has been a nightmare for opposition defenders. He played 36 games in the league this season, scoring seven goals and grabbing 16 assists.
#8 CLEMENT LENGLET, BARCELONA
Playing for Barcelona is not an easy job. Almost all players function under the looming shadow of Lionel Messi, and the talisman takes home almost all the plaudits for the club's succcesses.
One such player who has often been overlooked is Clement Lenglet. The France international joined Barcelona from Sevilla in 2018 for €35 million, and has been everpresent for them since.
Forming a good centre-back partnership with veteran Gerard Pique, Lenglet has ousted the injury-prone Samuel Umtiti from the playing XI.
A ball-playing centre-back with good tackling ability, the 25-year old played 28 games for Barcelona in the league last season.
Linked with a move to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain in the past, the former Nancy defender looks set to enjoy a bright future with the Catalans.
Also Read: 5 players who have won the Premier League, Champions League and the World Cup
#7 LUIS ALBERTO, LAZIO
In a Lazio squad filled with talent, Luis Alberto has enjoyed another fine creative season.
Alberto joined Lazio from Liverpool in 2016 for a fee of £4 million. The Spain international had a slow start to his Lazio career, but his second season saw him emerge as a key first-team member.
An exceptional creator with good dribbling ability, Alberto has predominantly played in the centre of the park for the Italian side.
The former Sevilla man played 36 games in Serie A for Lazio, scoring six goals and providing 15 assists. Alberto has formed a strong midfield partnership with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic at the heart of Lazio's midfield.
#6 ANDREA BELOTTI, TORINO
While Andrea Belotti wasn't underrated a few years ago, that certainly seems to be the case now.
The Italy international is the talisman of his Torino side, a consistent goalscorer who has been praised for his hardwork and dedication. Belotti scored 26 goals in the league for Torino in the 2016-17 season, and while he might not have touched those heady heights, he still remains a reliable finder of the net.
Last season for Torino, the 26-year old scored 16 goals and provided three assists in 35 league games. Once linked with big-money moves to Manchester United, Chelsea and Inter Milan, the links seem to have died down.
#5 GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM, LIVERPOOL
When Liverpool paid a relegated Newcastle United £23 million for Georginio Wijnaldum, eyebrows were raised.
However, the midfielder's form has vanished all concerns. Wijnaldum is a vital cog for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, with his dynamism, discipline and passing ability all highly regarded. While he may not score as many goals as he did with Newcastle United or with PSV, the Netherlands international compensates for that with his energy in the centre of the park.
The 29-year old played 37 games in the Premier League last season, winning the title with Liverpool. With just a year left in his contract, there have been reports that Real Madrid and multiple Italian clubs are keeping an eye on him.
#4 EMILIANO BUENDIA, NORWICH CITY
Arguably the best player in the recently relegated Norwich City's team, Emiliano Buendia looks set to enjoy a bright future in the sport.
A highly creative player who predominantly operates on the wings for Norwich City, Buendia's dribbling, passing and defensive contributions have all made him a highly wanted player. The 23-year old was vital in Norwich's promotion to the Premier League and also played a key role during their sole season at the top.
With his club relegated, Buendia has been linked with Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. The former Getafe man made 36 appearances in the league, scoring one goal and providing seven assists.
Also Read: 5 players who can replace Sergio Aguero at Manchester City
#3 MARCELO BROZOVIC, INTER MILAN
A player who often tends to under the radar in Italy is Marcelo Brozovic. The midfielder has been an integral part of the Inter Milan side for some time now, but fails to get the recognition he deserves.
Brozovic joined the Italian giants from Dinamo Zagreb in 2015, initially on loan. He made his move permanent for €5 million, and the Croatia international has been in fine form since then. An excellent passer with good defensive qualities, Brozovic is capable of playing in a variety of midfield positions.
The 27-year old made 32 appearances in Serie A for Inter Milan, scoring three goals and providing six assists. Liverpool are said to be interested in the midfielder.
#2 WISSAM BEN YEDDER, MONACO
Arguably one of the most underrated footballers in world football over the past few years, Wissam Ben Yedder has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career. At the age of 29, he might finally be getting the recognition he deserves.
Having joined Monaco last season after three successful seasons with Sevilla, Ben Yedder has led the line for the principality club phenomenally. A creative player with an eye for goal, the France international has been in fine form.
In 26 league appearances, he scored 18 goals and provided four assists, finishing as the top goalscorer in the league alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe.
#1 KEYLOR NAVAS, PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Perennially underrated, Keylor Navas has always performed at a high level for both club and country.
After an incredible yet subdued spell at Real Madrid where he won the Champions League three times as their starting goalkeeper, Navas moved to Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a fee of £13 million. The Costa Rica international has not put a foot out of line, producing consistent performances on a weekly basis.
In 21 league appearances for the club, the 33-year-old kept 11 clean sheets and conceded only 16 goals, winning the league in the process. Navas might not get the recognition that he is due, but he continues to be a reliable goalkeeper for the Parisian side.
Also Read: 10 highest paid footballers in the world right now
