European underrated XI: The players who performed well but went under the radar

Other than the regular household names, there have been plenty of players in Europe, who have impressed in a silent way.

A number of players this season have punched way above their weight. These are the individuals who do not dominate the newspaper headlines, but silently do their jobs to perfection. The following players were not rated highly at the beginning of this season, but have caught the eye of fans and experts alike with their consistent and impressive performances.

We have, therefore, concocted a combined eleven of the best-underrated players playing in Europe currently who deserve acknowledgment for they have delivered beyond the usual expectations.

GOALKEEPER

Péter Gulácsi (Red Bull Leipzig) 

Péter Gulacsi is leading the clean sheets chart with 15 clean sheets in 31 games. 

When the top-five goalkeepers are talked about, seldom does the name of Péter Gulácsi is mentioned. However, the 28-year-old is one of the central figures responsible for the rapid rise of the Bundesliga club, RB Leipzig.

After spending early stages of his career in the English football leagues, the Hungarian joined his current club in 2015 and has since been the main man between the sticks and operates his position with exquisite poise. To put his abilities into context, Péter is leading the clean sheets chart in the German top division with 15 shut-outs in 31 games.

DEFENDERS

Right-Back: Joao Cancelo (Juventus FC)

João Cancelo has everything that is demanded of a modern full-back, the ability to make darting runs down the flanks, the ability to pick out teammates from accurate crosses and the defensive tracking back in case of a turnover. The Portuguese is a tireless workhorse who has made the right-back position his own at Juventus. The 24-year-old is greatly sought after due to the attacking input he delivers without interruption.

Center-Back: Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City) 

Aymeric Laporte has been the consistent choice at center-back for Pep Guardiola

The only center-back that has managed to survive Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy at Manchester City this term has to be Aymeric Laporte. His ability to form a perfect synergy with his fellow stoppers such as Vincent Kompany, John Stones or Nicola Otamendi is his biggest asset. The Frenchman does not dominate the highlights, but his composure on the ball and calmness without possession showcases maturity way beyond his years. The 24-year-old is also a threat from set pieces, as his four goals and two assists indicate.

Center-Back: Clément Lenglet (FC Barcelona)

To be able to bench a world cup winner like Samuel Umtiti is no mean feat, but the same has been achieved by Clément Lenglet who has established a strong partnership with Gerard Pique in the heart of FC Barcelona’s defence. The 23-year-old is a traditional no-nonsense stopper who tackles with commitment, and his off the ball concentration is one of his best assets. The Frenchman has become a regular starter for Ernesto Valverde this term.

Left-Back: Lucas Digne (Everton FC) 

Lucas Digne has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League

Lucas Digne could not find a regular starting position at either Paris Saint-Germain or FC Barcelona, but at Everton he has established himself as one of the best left-backs in Premier League. Signed in August 2018, the Frenchman has featured for Everton in 38 games in all competitions and has scored four goals and assisted as many too. He is a constant threat with his accurate free kicks and impeccable passing range.

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MIDFIELDERS

Central Defensive Midfielder: Tanguy NDombele (Olympique Lyonnais)

Tanguy NDombele is only 22 years old but is establishing himself as one of the most complete midfielders in Europe. The Frenchman has featured in 47 games for Olympique Lyonnais and has contributed with two goals and six assists, impressive numbers for a predominantly defensive midfielder. His tenaciousness and awareness enables him to make countless interceptions. His passing range and distribution has also caught the eye of the biggest clubs in European leagues who are lining up for his signature.

Right Midfielder: Hakim Ziyech (AFC Ajax) 

Hakim Ziyech has been one of the main reasons behind AFC Ajax's success story

One of the main reasons behind AFC Ajax’s success story this season is Hakim Ziyech. The Moroccan had always been a player with immense potential, but it is this season where he has really performed beyond any and every expectation. Blessed with exquisite dribbling skills, accurate passing skills, and an unmatched vision, the playmaker has accumulated 21 goals and 15 assists from the right midfield. Surely, the 26-year-old’s £25 million price-tag needs rethinking.

Left Midfielder: Ryan Fraser (AFC Bournemouth)

One of the surprises of the season, Ryan Fraser, has been instrumental for AFC Bournemouth this season and perhaps their main man ahead of Callum Wilson. The Scottish international has scored nine and made 16 assists in all competitions and is currently joint top in the assists charts in the Premier League. The 25-year-old has attracted serious attention from Arsenal, who are interested in signing the midfielder in the summer.

Central Attacking Midfielder: João Félix Sequeira (S.L. Benfica) 

João Félix Sequeira is attracting attention from big clubs at the age of 19-years-old

João Félix Sequeira is 19-years-old and has exploded on the European football scene this season out of the blue. The Portuguese is primarily a No.10 but can also play as a striker upfront. João Félix is one of the most underrated players this season who is an exceptional passer of the ball and loves to strike from distance to good effect. The midfielder has scored 17 goals and has made eight assists for Benfica in all competitions. He is one of the top transfer targets for Manchester United in the summer.

FORWARDS

Dušan Tadić (AFC Ajax)

 

 Dušan Tadić has had a fantastic first season at AFC Ajax having contributed to 50 goals

Primarily an attacking midfielder, Dušan Tadić has taken the role of the No.9 for AFC Ajax this season, performing way beyond the usual expectations. His silky smooth ball control makes him an exceptional option to hold the ball upfront and delivers perfect through balls for the wingers to attack from the flanks. The Serbian is a composed finisher who has the knack of being in the right positions in the final third. His eye-watering 33 goals and 17 assists in all competitions justify his stature and needs more acknowledgment from the mainstream media.

Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur)

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From winning the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games to playing in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Son Heung-Min has had an incredible season. The South Korean has multiple times shifted from being a wing forward to a central striker due to long injury spells to Harry Kane at Tottenham Hotspur. The 26-year-old has proved instrumental in Spurs’ UCL run and the race for top-four finish, contributing with 21 goals and seven assists in the process.

That concludes an incredible lineup of underrated players who have let their footballing capabilities do the talking. Each player mentioned here will be one to watch out come next season.