Skip to main content
🎉 Join The Club
- Join our community
17
Member Features
24/7
Access Available
5K+
Active Members
🎯
Live Q&A Sessions
Weekly interactive sessions
🏆
Member Competitions
Win exclusive prizes
📚
Exclusive Content
Premium articles & videos
⚡
Early Access
First to see new features
💬
Private Forums
Connect with members
🎁
Monthly Rewards
Surprise gifts & perks
GET CLUB ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your football news.
By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions . Geographical rules apply.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more

Get Club Access Quick

Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

FourFourTwo FourFourTwo FOOTBALL NEWS, FEATURES, QUIZZES
UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia US EditionUS CA EditionCanada KR Edition대한민국 TR EditionTürkiye
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Soccer Cleat Buying Guides
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Video
  • Features
  • Quizzes
  • Clubs
  • Membership
  • More
    • Interviews
    • The Magazine Archive
    • Subscribe
    • Lists
    • How to Watch
    • About
FourFourTwo Magazine
FourFourTwo Magazine
Why subscribe?
  • Fascinating feature articles, covering everything from grass-roots football to the international scene
  • 'ACCESS ALL AREAS' pass to exclusive interviews with the biggest and best names in the game!
From$29.99
Subscribe now
Don't miss these
Trending
  • Watch AFCON 2025
  • Transfers
  • Interviews
  • Messi
  • Ronaldo
  • EPL
  1. Competition
  2. Premier League

EVERY Premier League club's most underrated player

Features
By Greg Lea published 19 September 2019

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Give them some credit...

Give them some credit...

Everyone knows that Raheem Sterling and Mohamed Salah are brilliant. Superstars of their ilk are never short of recognition, be it from fans of their own club or a wider audience.

But which Premier League players deserve more praise than they usually receive? In this slideshow, we've picked out the most underrated operator from each club in the division...

Page 1 of 21
Page 1 of 21
Arsenal: Rob Holding

Arsenal: Rob Holding

Rob Holding has only play 31 Premier League games in his career and yet, somehow, still remains Arsenal's best centre-back. The defender showed considerable signs of promise in the first half of 2018/19, before an anterior cruciate ligament injury cut his season short in December. Arsenal fell short of a top-four finish last season, but with Holding back in the starting XI there is just cause for optimism at Arsenal; despite David Luiz's best attempts to dampen spirits.

A £2m bargain buy from Bolton in 2016, Holding is composed with the ball and intelligent without it. He's not the most powerful of centre-backs, but his anticipation and positioning more than make up for that.

Page 2 of 21
Page 2 of 21
Aston Villa: Conor Hourihane

Aston Villa: Conor Hourihane

With John McGinn and Jack Grealish always keen to break forward and join the attack, Hourihane has an integral role to play at the base of Villa's midfield. Having previously fulfilled box-to-box functions, the Republic of Ireland international is much more a sitter in Dean Smith's 4-3-3 formation, screening the back four and orchestrating moves from deep.

Hourihane possesses a fine range of passing and is also adept at sniffing out danger, making him well equipped for that position just in front of the defence. 

Page 3 of 21
Page 3 of 21
Bournemouth: Steve Cook

Bournemouth: Steve Cook

Now into his ninth season at the club, Cook is a real Bournemouth stalwart. The central defender made his Cherries debut in League One and has helped to establish Eddie Howe's side in the top flight over recent years – a magnificent achievement for a club of their size.

Cook will eventually get phased out, but at 28 he still has plenty to offer. The former Brighton man is strong in the air and accomplished in possession, while he also has a useful propensity to chip in with goals at the other end of the field: he's scored in every season since 2011/12.

Page 4 of 21
Page 4 of 21
Brighton: Shane Duffy

Brighton: Shane Duffy

Brighton's 3-0 victory over Watford on the opening weekend showed that the team's style of play is going to evolve under Graham Potter, but the former Swansea boss won't want to lose the defensive resolve that was present for most of Chris Hughton's tenure.

Lewis Dunk is the most heralded member of Brighton's backline, but Duffy is arguably just as important as the Englishman. The Republic of Ireland international is rarely caught out of position and frequently finds himself in the right place at the right time when defending his own penalty box - and that's not a coincidence.

Page 5 of 21
Page 5 of 21
Burnley: Jack Cork

Burnley: Jack Cork

Perenially underrated, Cork continues to go under the radar despite delivering consistently good performances season after season. He played every minute of every game as Burnley qualified for the Europa League in 2017/18, and missed only one match when Sean Dyche's men avoided relegation last term.

Dyche loves Cork's energy and hard running, but he's a tidy distributor of the ball too. A midfield all-rounder who's also homegrown, it's somewhat surprising that the Chelsea youth product still doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Page 6 of 21
Page 6 of 21
Chelsea: Jorginho

Chelsea: Jorginho

When Frank Lampard replaced Maurizio Sarri in the Stamford Bridge dugout this summer, it was widely felt that Jorginho would follow his former Napoli manager back to Italy. Yet Lampard was quick to praise Jorginho in pre-season, publicly stating that he had been impressed by the midfielder's attitude and work ethic in training.

The Brazil-born Italy international has started both of Chelsea's competitive games under Lampard thus far, and looks set to show his quality in a slightly more liberated role this season. A terrific passer who also receives the ball well, Jorginho would surely have provided several assists in 2018/19 had his team-mates been less profligate in front of goal.

Page 7 of 21
Page 7 of 21
Crystal Palace: Luka Milivojević

Crystal Palace: Luka Milivojević

Palace aren't known for their ability to score freely - just ask Christian Benteke - but when Wilfried Zaha is in your team you're almost guaranteed penalties. What Luka Milivojević offers is a man so composed that a goal seems like the only possible outcome. The big Serbian is also a tireless workhorse who unselfishly chugs around the pitch breaking up play and picking up cards.

He may be decidedly unremarkable but those within the club know his worth. A fine reader of the game, tough in the tackle and an aerial threat in both boxes, Milivojević will be crucial to the Eagles' fortunes this term.

Page 8 of 21
Page 8 of 21
Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The acquisitions of Moise Kean from Juventus was one of the best signings a Premier League club made this summer. The Italian teenager scored eight goals in 12 appearances for the Bianconeri last time out and will no doubt make an impression in England once he's settled.

In Calvert-Lewin, though, Everton have another promising young attacker who does his best work through the middle. The 22-year-old routinely makes clever runs off the ball and links the play well, although he must now start scoring more goals to take his game to the next level.

Page 9 of 21
Page 9 of 21
Leicester: Jonny Evans

Leicester: Jonny Evans

After selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United for £80m, Leicester were linked with a host of centre-backs in the final few days of the summer transfer window. Instead they stayed out of a bidding war and kept faith with those defenders already at the club, and the early signs in Sunday's goalless draw with Wolves were positive.

Evans and Caglar Soyuncu both performed well in that game, and the Northern Irishman could have a big role to play this term. Evans has been underrated for some time now; it's no surprise that Pep Guardiola was sniffing around before he left West Brom.

Page 10 of 21
Page 10 of 21
Liverpool: Jordan Henderson

Liverpool: Jordan Henderson

Henderson is not the most technically gifted of Liverpool's midfielders, but there's a reason Jurgen Klopp starts him more often than not. The England international's energy and drive is crucial to the way the German's team play, and his range of passing - while not quite Andrea Pirlo-esque - is underappreciated.

Having spent much of Klopp's tenure as the deepest member of a midfield three, Henderson excelled in a box-to-box role towards the end of last term. That versatility is another reason why his manager is such a big fan.

Page 11 of 21
Page 11 of 21
Manchester City: Oleksandr Zinchenko

Manchester City: Oleksandr Zinchenko

After amassing 198 points over the last two seasons, most Manchester City players have received ample credit for their part in such an unprecedented achievement. However, Zinchenko arguably hasn't been heralded as much as he might have.

Not only is the Ukrainian just 22 years old, he's actually a No.10 by trade - he was the most creative player on the pitch when his country lost to Poland at Euro 2016. The fact he hasn't looked out of place as City's starting left-back is testament to his quality.

Page 12 of 21
Page 12 of 21
Manchester United: Victor Lindelof

Manchester United: Victor Lindelof

Harry Maguire was deservedly named man of the match after United’s 4-0 thumping of Chelsea on Sunday, and Lindelof might have to get used to his centre-back partner generating more headlines than him this term.

However, the Swede proved himself to be a highly capable defender last season: he was probably the team's standout performer under Jose Mourinho, and definitely their strongest centre-back throughout the campaign. Expect him to receive more credit as this season progresses - but perhaps not as much as the £80m man beside him.

Page 13 of 21
Page 13 of 21
Newcastle: Fabian Schar

Newcastle: Fabian Schar

Newcastle conceded fewer goals than Arsenal and Manchester United last season, with Schar - rather than the more heralded Jamaal Lascelles - their key man at the back. Signed for just £3m from Hoffenheim in summer 2018, the Swiss stopper is already worth a great deal more 12 months on.

Schar is fantastic in possession, both in his passing ability and willingness to carry the ball into midfield. He can sometimes be a little rash in the tackle - as evidenced by 15 yellow cards for club and country in 2018/19 - but the 28-year-old remains one of the best centre-backs outside the top six.

Page 14 of 21
Page 14 of 21
Norwich: Jamal Lewis

Norwich: Jamal Lewis

There were several signs of promise in Norwich's opening encounter despite a 4-1 loss to Liverpool. Lewis was one of the visiting players who impressed at Anfield, particularly when surging down the flank to join the attack from left-back.

Daniel Farke likes his full-backs - Lewis on the left, Max Aarons on the right - to push forward at every opportunity, and there's every chance that the speedy, athletic Northern Ireland international won't be underrated come the end of the campaign.

Page 15 of 21
Page 15 of 21
Sheffield United: John Fleck

Sheffield United: John Fleck

Chris Wilder's innovative approach of encouraging his centre-backs to overlap and put crosses into the box is sure to capture plenty of attention following Sheffield United's return to the Premier League. The roles of Jack O'Connell and Chris Basham, the outside defenders in Wilder's back three, have already received focus, but Fleck is crucial to the system too.

The central midfielder contributes to both the attacking and defensive phases of play, and he also takes a mean set-piece. Fleck played 45 of 46 league games last term and is likely to be ever-present whenever fit this season.

Page 16 of 21
Page 16 of 21
Southampton: Jan Bednarek

Southampton: Jan Bednarek

Yann Valery was a strong contender for the Southampton crown, but Bednarek just edges him out. The Pole fell out of favour under Mark Hughes but was restored to the side when Ralph Hasenhuttl took charge, and it wasn't a coincidence that Saints' form soon picked up.

Bednarek is a tremendous penalty-box defender, always getting his body in the right place to block shots and make clearances. He's strong in the air too, and has a useful knack for raising his game in the biggest matches.

Page 17 of 21
Page 17 of 21
Tottenham: Harry Winks

Tottenham: Harry Winks

Tottenham's midfield this season will have a very different feel to it: Mousa Dembele has departed, Eric Dier will probably be a back-up and Victor Wanyama has also been pushed down the pecking order. Spurs splashed the cash to bring in Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso this summer, and both men will expect to become regular starters as the season goes on.

In Winks, though, there should be one constant between this term and last in the centre of the park. Most onlookers appreciate the England international's ability to control Tottenham's passing tempo and start attacks, but his importance to the team is still a little underestimated.

Page 18 of 21
Page 18 of 21
Watford: Craig Cathcart

Watford: Craig Cathcart

Watford are famed for the extensiveness of their scouting policy, which regularly results in them picking up talented players from all four corners of the globe. Yet despite such an approach, Cathcart started 40 games in all competitions last season as the Hornets posted their best finish of the Premier League era and reached the FA Cup final.

The Northern Irishman is astute positionally and reads the game well, while he rarely lets his performance levels dip. He'll be essential if Watford are to push for a top-half finish this campaign.

Page 19 of 21
Page 19 of 21
West Ham: Fabian Balbuena

West Ham: Fabian Balbuena

A 5-0 thumping by Manchester City didn't represent the best start to the new season for West Ham, but getting demolished by Pep Guardiola's men at the London Stadium is nothing new. The defeat did, however, raise further question marks about the team's defensive capabilities, which could be their main weakness this term.

Yet despite those legitimate doubts, a centre-back partnership of Issa Diop and Balbuena is a good one. The Paraguayan adapted well to his first season in England in 2018/19 and looks well positioned to build on that promise this term - just not against City, perhaps.

Page 20 of 21
Page 20 of 21
Wolves: Diogo Jota

Wolves: Diogo Jota

When Wolves went through a sticky patch last season, Nuno Espirito Santo was quick to act. The former Porto boss shifted from a 3-4-3 formation to a 3-5-2, adding an extra midfielder to the team and moving Jota from the wing to the centre of the attack alongside Raul Jimenez.

The Portuguese excelled, ending the season with nine goals and five assists to his name, but didn't receive the same widespread recognition as his strike partner. That will surely change if Jota reaches double figures this season.

Page 21 of 21
Page 21 of 21
Greg Lea
Greg Lea
Social Links Navigation

Greg Lea is a freelance football journalist who's filled in wherever FourFourTwo needs him since 2014. He became a Crystal Palace fan after watching a 1-0 loss to Port Vale in 1998, and once got on the scoresheet in a primary school game against Wilfried Zaha's Whitehorse Manor (an own goal in an 8-0 defeat).

Latest in Competition
Javier Zanetti celebrates with the Champions League trophy after Inter's win over Bayern Munich in the 2010 final.
‘I’m convinced it will be unforgettable’ Javier Zanetti tells FourFourTwo about joining forces with Rivaldo, Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko to launch new global tournament at Walt Disney World
 
 
England have six sides in the Champions League this season
Premier League's fifth Champions League spot AT RISK after unexpected country leapfrogs England in rankings
 
 
Fulham star Emile Smith Rowe
How to watch Fulham vs Nottingham Forest: Live streams and TV info for Monday Night Football contest
 
 
Morgan Rogers is in red-hot form for the Villans
How to watch Aston Villa vs Manchester United: Live streams, TV channels, kick-off time for Super Sunday Premier League clash
 
 
Leeds United man Dominic Calvert-Lewin is coming up with the goods as of late
Is Leeds vs Crystal Palace on TV? Live stream and TV info as the Whites host Oliver Glasner's top-four hopefuls
 
 
David Moyes and Mikel Arteta will cross paths again in the dugout this weekend
How to watch Everton vs Arsenal: Live streams, TV details, kick-off time for meeting between David Moyes and Mikel Arteta
 
 
Latest in Features
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: A flag featuring Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United pictured in the Gallowgate End during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on December 20, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
‘I was the bad guy' Newcastle United man cites abnormal help as key reason for Chelsea bounceback
 
 
Tom Cairney
In ten years at Fulham, he has enjoyed three promotions, suffered two relegations and experienced plenty of highs and lows along the way... proof that there ain't nobody like Tom Cairney
 
 
Bournemouth played out an entertaining 4-4 draw with Manchester United last week
How to watch Bournemouth vs Burnley: Live streams, TV coverage of Premier League clash at Vitality Stadium
 
 
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes
How to watch Newcastle vs Chelsea: Live stream, TV info, preview for early Premier League kick-off
 
 
ULSAN, SOUTH KOREA - JUNE 03: WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, Ulsan; GRUPPE C/BRASILIEN - TUERKEI (BRA - TUR) 2:1; Fatih AKYEL/TUR, DENILSON/BRA (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Bongarts/Getty Images)
‘Moving into Sao Paulo club accommodation at 12 meant one less mouth for my parents to feed. I’ll always be grateful’ Denilson opens up on his humble beginnings
 
 
Alan Shearer celebrates after scoring the winner for Newcastle United against Sheffield United in the 1998 FA Cup semi-finals.
‘Alan Shearer made a joke about my terrible performance – I was still like, “F**king hell, that’s Alan saying my name!’” Dan Burn recalls being picked out by the Newcastle legend
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
    1
    Quiz! Can you name the 25 players with the best goals per match ratio in Premier League history?
  2. 2
    ‘At 16, a national newspaper front page said I was on £5,000 a week. It wasn’t true. It was very difficult to deal with and it really changed the course of my life. It attracted a different kind of attention’ Joe Cole on the ‘nonsense story’
  3. 3
    Is Algeria vs Sudan on TV? Live streams as Riyah Mahrez leads Les Fennecs into AFCON 2025
  4. 4
    ‘I was leaving Chelsea a champion and I felt like I needed Manchester United on my CV. For me, United and Real Madrid are historically the two biggest clubs’ Red Devils hero on why he made the switch to Premier League rivals
  5. 5
    ‘I get that some Everton fans wanted a fashionista appointment, but I do think I was the right appointment - we were in uncharted territory in the Premier League.’ Sean Dyche tells FourFourTwo how proud he is of Toffees stint

FourFourTwo is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About FourFourTwo
  • Advertise with us
  • Worldwide
  • How to pitch to FourFourTwo

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...