Top 5 Underrated Players in the Premier League season thus far

The English Premier League season has already completed its first half and the new year saw the commencement of the second half of the league. With Arsenal and Leicester City occupying the top two positions in the league, Vardy, Mahrez and Özil have stolen all the headlines and the performances of other players have been vastly overshadowed. Sometimes, a player is more than their stats; but sadly, these players are often overlooked.These are the top 5 most underrated players in the 2015/2016 Premier League midway through the campaign.

#5 Aaron Cresswell

Full backs are, unfortunately, often not given the respect and gratitude they warrant. Their role in the squad is habitually underestimated. However, fullbacks are often vital to a team's success, contributing to both attacking and defensive plays. Fullbacks are often vital to a teams performances, like an anchor.

In the absence of West Ham’s star Frenchman, Dmitri Payet, the Hammers endured an obvious struggle. Their creativity and fluidity in the attack was impeded, as the number of goals they scored gradually decreased. Times were dark for the Irons, but dark times always bring the best out of some players. One of these players has been the English left-back Aaron Cresswell.

In 19 appearances, Cresswell has come up with a goal and provided three assists. For a full back, not a bad return. But the twenty-six-year-old is more than just his stats, being the source of consistency and reliability amidst a somewhat shaky West Ham back four. You can always rely on Aaron to put in a good shift for his team, and his performances have begun to attract praise from the West Ham faithful.

Cresswell has been among one of the best left backs in the League, as Azpilicueta’s form has been dwindling. Many Hammers are inquiring as to why he hasn’t been called up to the international stage, and despite competition from Baines and Ryan Bertrand, he is definitely in contention for the spot. Cresswell’s performances at Upton Park have definitely impressed fans and neutrals alike, as his form seems to be only going upwards.

#4 N\'golo Kante

While there is no doubting the brilliance of the Leicester forwards, Mahrez and Vardy, it is unfortunate that so many of Leicester’s other spectacular performers have gone under the radar. One of these performers has been N’golo Kante, who arrived at the King Power Stadium from SM Caen for a reported fee of 5.6 million pounds.

Standing at a diminutive height of 5’6, not many expected him to be a success. But he has gradually become one of the Premier League’s best midfielders, a behind the scenes man for the Foxes. N’golo operates in the shadows, picking up the ball deep in midfield and feeding it up front, where the duo of Mahrez and Vardy can do the rest.

His ability to take the ball from the opposition and creating attacking plays are almost unparalleled. He has won 48% of his attempted tackles, the second highest in the league. He has made 75 interceptions thus far in the campaign, which has not been bested by any other Premier League player.

He’s created nineteen chances and has a pass accuracy of 82%, which are again, something the 24-year-old Frenchman can be proud of. A comparison can be drawn to Arsenal’s Francis Coquelin, who does the same sort of job; grinding it out and being the rock in the center of the field. Although Coquelin is considered more refined, he has a lot more Premier League experience than his compatriot, and N’golo Kante’s best years are still well ahead of him.

While there is little doubt that N’golo Kante’s antics will continue to be a large part of Leicester’s dream, there is also little doubt about the fact that his hard work will pay off and he will get the recognition he is due. Whether said recognition comes from the media or from a big Premier League club is up for debate.

#3 Heurelho Gomes

The rise of Watford, from the Championship to the top ten in the Premier League, has been nothing short of remarkable. Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney are the men to make the headlines, but the Hornet’s consistency at the back has been key to keeping them afloat. Despite a poor showing against fellow underdogs Leicester, Heurelho Gomes has been a huge benefactor towards the impressive form of Watford.

Gomes has quietly sneaked into the Golden Glove contention, with eight clean sheets to his name; that’s the tied most in the League, along with the likes of Petr Cech, Jack Butland and Joe Hart. He’s made 40 saves, which is a very decent amount for any goalkeeper. The Brazilian is also the holder of a surprising fact; Gomes has saved 28.1% of the penalties he has faced (most of them from his time at Tottenham). Only David Seaman has a superior record.

Although he was known as the man who would concede left, right and center for Spurs, he has put his days at the Lane firmly behind him and has become one of the Premier League’s most reliable shot stoppers. Though underrated, many are beginning to notice some of the less run-of-the-mill keepers such as Gomes, who have shone for their respective teams.

#2 Fernandinho

Another midfielder who is vastly overshadowed by some of his more limelight-friendly peers. Although Fernandinho is a regular starter for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, he rarely gets the attention he deserves. Manchester City’s turnaround from their less than memorable 2014/2015 campaign can be largely attributed to the Brazilian midfielder.

Fernandinho is constantly on the prowl, making things happen for City. In nineteen appearances, he’s found the back of the net twice and created fifteen chances. He has an incredible 89% pass accuracy, which is surprisingly more than fellow team-mates David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne (although it could be argued that these two play in roles where they have to play riskier passes). The versatile, box to box midfielder also boasts a powerful shot, and pops up with the occasional goal.

The work that goes particularly unnoticed, not just in Fernandinho’s game but in general, is his defensive capabilities. He’s always willing to do the drudgery for City, constantly going back to defend and providing stability and security for his Kompany and company.

Fernandinho is one of those players who are often glossed over because they don’t necessarily possess those stellar stats, like Özil and others. But the Brazilian is a prime example of how in sports, statistics only tell half the story.

#1 Ander Herrera

hererra — Ander Herrera has been a key player for the Red Devils

Why the 26-year-old Spaniard is not starting every game for Manchester United is simply beyond explanation.

In a side which lacks energy, pace, and a killer instinct, Herrera’s instant-impact style of play, attacking mentality and outstanding footballing capabilities have the ability to turn games on their head. Herrera has a brilliant eye for a pass and often seems to come up with a goal here or there to save the skins of his fellow teammates.

Ander has made 12 appearances for the Red Devils thus far and has yet to put in a bad shift. The former Athletic Bilbao attacking midfielder has got his name on the scoresheet twice this campaign, creating nine chances and has an average pass accuracy of 86%. His powerful and well placed headed goal against Everton is a clear indication of the Spaniard’s keen goalscoring instinct, while his penalty against the other Merseyside team, Liverpool, was near perfect.

Herrera’s colleague, Bastian Schweinsteiger, has netted a single goal and produced eight chances, inferior to Ander in both respects; but still, Van Gaal persists with the German.

When played, Ander Herrera has proven to be a fulcrum in Manchester United’s squad. For many Manchester United fans, Herrera has done more than enough to justify his place in the first team, and if he keeps taking his chances and impresses, he will soon get the ample playing time he is fully deserving of.