Top Three Underappreciated PL Midfielders This Season
The Premier League has crossed its halfway mark and has arguably produced the best football in Europe. It has seen Manchester City reach the top and stay clear by 15 points, as they are 19 points better off from where they were at this stage last season. The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal are all fighting for the top four spot, which looks very tight at the moment.
Teams like Burnley, Leicester City and Watford have impressed so far and have managed to keep themselves in the top 10. As usual, the fight for survival in the Premier League is very close, as 11th placed Huddersfield and 18th placed Stoke City are separated by just 4 points.
While others are trying to chase the Cityzens, along with the big guns and star-studded line-ups, there are teams that have heavily depended on their midfielders, be it in the attacking or defensive sense, to try and achieve their season goals.
Of course, not all would be recognised and talked about as much as N’Golo Kante or David Silva but nonetheless, they have all been extremely pivotal for their team’s success so far. While some of the men in the middle have helped create and move the ball around, there have been a few solid, tough and capable defensive minded characters.
Here are three underrated midfielders from the Premier League this season
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Doucoure has been one of the all-rounders for Watford this season. The Frenchman was always known for his strength, composure on the ball and his ability to win the 50-50 chances but this season, he has also saved the Hornets on many occasions by chipping in with goals.
The 25-year-old’s strengths and plus points are his passing, the aerial threat he provides and his ability to pick passes and cover the ground before his opponent. Apart from the most important goals column, where he has six of them to his name, Doucoure makes almost 2 to 3 match-saving tackles per game on an average and around two interceptions without fail, which makes him a complete player.
Jack Wilshere
Jack is surely back! After having spent more than one year on the sidelines and then spending a season on loan at Bournemouth, he returned to the Arsenal camp this season. However, he wasn’t in Wenger’s plans as the French mastermind barely gave the youngster any time on the pitch. Now that he has got his chance due to Ramsey’s injury, the elusive midfielder has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Wilshere is a rich source of fluidity and creativity in the midfield as he has an exceptional ability to join the threads in the attack and stitch the play accordingly by picking passes, moving the ball forward all the time and creating tons of chances. In the Europa League, where he has played more, the Englishman has completed almost 5 successful dribbles every game and has created at least two clear-cut chances in each outing, which clearly shows his calibre and how silently and effectively he is going about his business.
Pascal Groß
Brighton and Hove Albion have won the odd game here or there to help themselves to the top 15. They are a side that aims to maintain their defensive shape, stay as narrow and deep as possible, allow their wider forwards to fill the full-back positions whenever needed and counter-attack or rely on set pieces from the men who occupy central positions.
Pascal Groß is one such player who has helped the Seagulls on many occasions by not just direct involvements in goal but also with his work rate, vision, quick decision-making skills and the ability to hold the ball, thanks to his quick feet. The central midfielder often has more touches on the ball than any of his teammates nearby, which clearly highlights his importance. He has 4 goals and 5 assists to his name in the PL this season, which is a promising one so far.
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