'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAjjf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAAf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAFf/xAAfEAACAgIBBQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEACFRBgcTIjP/2gAIAQEAAT8Au9Eyww/auVrQeUoFIVwWPoOBo75Y4O3FuQB1moqrbAIbP//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhP/2gAIAQIBAT8A1pn/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgD/2gAIAQMBAT8AqQN//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The game of football is the most popular sport across the globe. The ‘beautiful game’ is played majorly across all continents, thus providing people with the opportunity to connect through the medium of football.
Unsurprisingly, with the game’s popularity, there are numerous stars who bring people on the same page as well as divide opinion. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the best footballers of this generation while also competing in a short list to be crowned the best ever to step onto a football field.
Additionally, the likes of Hazard, Salah, Neymar and Modric have also become household names over the past few years.
However, football is not only about the stars who get you off your seats. Though they have the ability to come up with a jaw-buckling piece of skill, there are other players who are just as important. Players who thrive by not being centre-stage and take pleasure in controlling things from the periphery.
This article intends to honour such stars who are underrated and don’t cause the average football fan to jump out of his seat yet are invaluable to their respective teams.
Without further ado, here are the 5 most underrated players on the planet:
#5 Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
The Spaniard started his professional career with Osasuna in Spain. After three impressive seasons in Spain, he made the switch to Marseille, where he won four trophies.
His next stop was West London and he arrived at Chelsea in 2012. Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, the diminutive Spaniard has been a revelation and has rightly been called Chelsea’s ‘Mr. Consistent’.
Azpilicueta is a very versatile defender who can play anywhere across the back line. Having initially started out as a Right Back, he switched to the other flank when Jose required him to perform the role. He displayed another facet to his game when he slotted in seamlessly into Conte’s three-man defence as the right-sided centre back.
Unfortunately, Azpilicueta hasn’t enjoyed the success his displays have deserved. Though he has always been one of the first names on the Chelsea team sheet, he hasn’t been a regular in the Spanish national team set-up. While his absence could be attributed to some tough competition, a player of his versatility and talent surely deserves more.
Moreover, Cesar has never enjoyed a ‘star’ status. Though he seems a person who enjoys working in the background, rather than being at the forefront, he surely deserves a mention in our list.
Azpilicueta is the epitome of an underrated footballer and hence, like many occasions before with his defending, slots in without fuss, at No.5.
#4 Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid)
Nacho has been at Real Madrid since 2001. Having joined them as an 11-year-old, he went on to make his senior first-team debut in 2011. Nacho is a defender by trade and is comfortable playing anywhere across the backline.
The Spaniard has been Real Madrid’s fall guy for a few years now. Whenever the team needs extra protection in defence, Nacho is the man they call upon. On numerous occasions, Nacho has filled in for Marcelo while he has also played on the right side of the defence.
The Spaniard has shown to be adept at defending while he has improved his attacking play over the years. Thus, his versatility adds another dynamic to an already talented Real Madrid squad.
Nowadays, players who are comfortable at playing across the back line are rare. Hence, Nacho not getting the credit he deserves surely baffles many. However, he need not worry as this article gives him the credit he deserves and he makes it to our list as the 4th most underrated player in the world.
#3 James Milner (Liverpool)
James Milner has been a perennially underrated player. Currently plying his trade for Liverpool, the Englishman has not missed a beat and is still going as strong as ever. At this juncture, he represents Liverpool’s most trusted option in midfield.
Clubs started to take notice of Milner after his tenacious displays at Newcastle and Aston Villa. However, his adaptability came to the fore when he moved to Manchester City. He played a vital role in City’s Premier League triumphs.
Milner has continued in the same vein after his move to Merseyside. He is tough in the tackle and is one of the fittest players going around. The latter trait enables him to embody Klopp’s high-energy style perfectly.
To supplement this, Milner can play in a variety of positions. He can play at fullback, central midfield and also on the wings. These attributes make Milner a rare commodity and a commodity Liverpool are fortunate to have.
However, the Englishman still hasn’t gotten his due of praise despite his strengths. A major reason could be his unassuming nature and his quality of getting things done without making a meal out of it.
Hence, he makes it onto our list at No.3.
#2 Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea)
The Croatian has been highly unfortunate over the years; in terms of the competition he has had to face for places. He was down the pecking order at Real Madrid as the likes of Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Isco were guaranteed starters. For his country, he had the irresistible duo of Modric and Rakitic ahead of him, along with the talented Brozovic.
Kovacic shot to prominence with astounding displays for Inter Milan. However, he hasn’t been able to showcase his talents on a regular basis, thus leading to people not recognising his abilities enough.
His loan move to Chelsea at the start of the season has come at the right time as Kovacic would be given the chance to finally unlock his vast potential. The Croatian is superb at dribbling and can see passes that others can’t even contemplate. With a skill set as distinguished as this, it is a pity that he isn’t one of the best midfielders in the world currently.
However, all that could be about to change and he has made a spectacular start to his Chelsea career. Though he could turn into the name on everyone’s lips by the end of 2020, for now, he is still one of the most underrated players on the planet.
Thus, he takes the runner-up spot in our list.
#1 Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)
The young and talented Spaniard is the most underrated player in the world at the moment. Saul currently plays under Diego Simeone and is an important cog in the Atletico wheel.
Blessed with the ability to come up with the spectacular, he has often slipped under the radar for his country as well as his club. Despite his technical prowess, Saul is willing to put in the hard yards and carries out his fair share of defensive duties. At present, he is one of the most complete Spanish midfielders.
Despite his obvious talent, Saul only boasts of 12 caps for Spain. However, under the new regime with Luis Enrique at the helm, things could be about to take a turn for the better. He portrayed his enormous ability with two goals in Spain’s UEFA Nations League matches.
For a midfielder like Saul, he should be mentioned in the same breath as the best in the business. Though he is revered by his club, his recognition isn’t worldwide and he isn’t looked upon as the world-beater that he is.
Therefore, for these reasons, Saul qualifies to be the most underrated football in the world currently.
