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In this day and age, very few footballers are underrated. The advent of social media has seen the emergence of talent from obscure leagues.
With YouTube compilations paving the way, talented players almost always come under the spotlight. However, there still remain some underrated talents who arguably deserve a big move due to their consistent performances over the years.
With clubs wary of spending money due to the pandemic, there is a need to be savvy with signings. Keeping that in mind, we're looking at the five most underrated midfielders in the world right now.
#5 Ruslan Malinovskyi (Atalanta)
Ruslan Malinovskyi was one of the best midfielders in Serie A last season and was one of the stars of Gian Piero Gasperini's super-charged Atalanta side.
A versatile player, Malinovskyi joined Atalanta from Genk in 2019 for £12.2 million. Capable of playing in midfield or in forward positions, the Ukraine international has done well in Italy, despite not consistently starting for Atalanta. Last season, he made 22 Serie A starts, scoring eight goals and providing 12 assists.
A highly creative player, the 28-year old is well-renowned for his prowess from dead-ball situations. Malinovskyi has been linked with clubs like Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.
#4 Lucas Paqueta (Lyon)
Lucas Paqueta's spell with AC Milan did not go according to plan, but the midfielder is showing his talent in France for Lyon.
After a quiet stint with AC Milan, Paqueta joined Lyon last summer for £18 million. The Brazil international has enjoyed an excellent domestic campaign with Lyon, making 27 Ligue 1 starts, scoring nine goals and providing five assists.
While Paqueta has previously done well as an attacking midfielder, for Lyon he operated more centrally last season. Creative and hardworking, the 23-year old has a good chance of establishing himself as Lyon's star now that Memphis Depay has left the club.
#3 Aurelien Tchouameni (AS Monaco)
Aurelien Tchouameni is regarded by many as the next big-money departure from AS Monaco, and it is difficult to argue with that opinion.
Tchouameni joined AS Monaco from Bordeaux in January 2020 for £16.2 million, and enjoyed a very good 2020/21 campaign. A defensive midfielder with excellent tacking ability and aerial prowess, the 21-year old made 36 Ligue 1 appearances for AS Monaco last season, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
The France U21 international is starting to catch the attention of clubs across Europe. Chelsea are reportedly targeting him and it will surely take a big bid to prise him out of Ligue 1.
#2 Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur)
A prodigious talent during his Bayern Munich days, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is now an established Premier League star who consistently starts for both club and country.
Hojbjerg was highly-rated during his Bayern Munich days and then-manager Pep Guardiola was reportedly a huge fan of the youngster. However, things did not work out for the Denmark international, who moved to Southampton in 2016 as he sought to restart his career.
Hojbjerg's Southampton stint was a successful one. After four seasons with the club, he moved to Tottenham Hotspur last summer for nearly £15 million, and featured in every game for them in the Premier League during the 2020/21 campaign. At the recently concluded Euros, the 25-year old was one of Denmark's best players.
#1 Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig)
It is hard to nail Marcel Sabitzer's position down as the midfielder is utilized in a number of various roles at club level.
Last season, Sabitzer operated as a defensive midfielder, in central midfield, on the wings and on instances as a striker as well. The Austria international is a good passer and strong defensively, and it is not surprising to see the former Rapid Wien player linked with a host of top clubs.
Sabitzer only has one year remaining on his contract with RB Leipzig, and he has been linked with clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. The 27-year old made 24 Bundesliga starts last season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
Also Read: 5 most valuable players in the Premier League - July 2021
