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The Premier League has grown tremendously in terms of popularity, marketing value and reputation over the last couple of years. That is why it has become the dream destination for almost every footballer on the planet.
With hundreds of players finding their way into the English top flight every season, it is inevitable that some incredibly talented names will be ignored. Hence, it isn't strange to see footballers failing to get the respect they deserve for their exploits on the pitch.
We recently made a list of the 5 most underrated attackers in Premier League history but it is not only attackers who have been ignored. Some brilliant midfielders have also seen their decent performances over the years go under the radar.
Despite putting up impressive displays in the middle of the pitch week-in and week-out, these players rarely get the plaudits they deserve. That said, let's look at the five most underrated midfielders in Premier League history.
#5 Ji Sung Park
The attacking midfielder put up eye-catching performances for Manchester United during his time in the Premier League but was often overlooked by Sir Alex Ferguson on the biggest occasions. The tactician later regretted not making adequate use of the Korean, recently ruing his refusal to bring him on in the Champions League final clash with Barcelona in 2011.
Ji Sung Park bagged 20 goals and 22 assists for the Red Devils in 133 appearances in the English top flight across seven seasons at Old Trafford. Before the arrival of Heung-Min Son, the former Manchester United midfielder was the most popular Asian to play in the Premier League.
#4 Mousa Dembele
Mousa Dembele was a huge force to be reckoned with during his time in the Premier League. The midfielder spent seven years at Tottenham Hotspur with several convincing performances to his name.
In 243 appearances in the English top flight, the Belgian bagged 12 goals and 15 assists. Beyond the numbers, his incredible presence at the center of the pitch made him a perfect match for even the most reputable names in the division.
Dembele left the Premier League to join Chinese outfit Guangzhou R&F in a deal worth €5 million in January 2019. His contract with the club expires in December this year. Having called time on his international career, it remains to be seen if he'll do the same at club level.
#3 Clint Dempsey
Despite his incredible exploits, it is quite disappointing that Clint Dempsey isn't considered among the best Premier League midfielders. Yet, it wouldn't be far-fetched to say the attacking midfielder was one of the best in the business during his time in the English top flight.
Clint Dempsey became the first American to score a Premier League hat-trick when he bagged three for Fulham against Newcastle United on January 21, 2012. He enjoyed a brilliant six-year spell with the Lillywhites, spending just one year at Tottenham Hotspur before returning to the MLS.
The USMNT star has a record of 57 goals and 21 assists to his name in 218 Premier League appearances. He called time on his football career in the summer of 2018.
#2 Gilberto Silva
Former Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva also belongs among the category of brilliant players whose efforts went unnoticed in the Premier League. The Brazilian switched to the English division in the summer of 2002, leaving Atletico MG for the north London club in a deal worth €9 million.
Silva became an instant success as he played a key role in Invincibles' season. He formed a powerful partnership with Patrick Vieira in midfield, shielding the defense effectively and contributing immensely to building up plays.
The Brazilian spent six years representing the Gunners in the Premier League. He made 170 appearances in the English top-flight, scoring 17 times and setting up his teammates on 12 occasions
#1 Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick made his debut Premier League appearance on August 28, 1999, replacing Rio Ferdinand in a 3–0 victory over Bradford City at Valley Parade. The midfielder ended up spending his entire professional career in the English top-flight representing clubs like West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United.
He enjoyed the brightest phase of his career during his spell at Old Trafford. The Englishman won five league titles, one Champions League crown, three Carling Cups, one FA Cup and many others before hanging up his boots in July 2018.
In summary, Michael Carrick has a massive 481 Premier League appearances to his name, with 24 goals and 31 assists in his domestic career. He was appointed Manchester United's interim manager following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in 2018 and is currently a member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team at Old Trafford.
