There are so many players who take a grand role in their teams and yet remain overshadowed by others. Mainly, dribblers and goalscorers take the credit while defending players and goalkeepers are less likely to earn awards.

Here's my list for the ten most underrated footballers currently playing for European clubs:

 

10. Paulo Ferreira

Not exactly the most talented of players, but he is a player who gets the job done. A good defender and passer who has the right mentality.

It is a shame that he is too underrated and is currently warming the benches at Stamford Bridge after being the victim to Mourinho's 4-4-2 attacking game in which he did not fit in well. In a defensive system, Ferreira is probably the best right back choice because of the simplicity of his game.

 

9. Gianpaolo Pazzini

Pazzini has been overshadowed by Luca Toni's 30 goals a couple of seasons back. This year, Gilardino has arrived at Fiorentina and Pazzini is once again out of the Viola first eleven. He is a player most remembered for his hat-trick in the opening match at Wembley between England U21 and Italy U21. Pazzini is a hot prospect in Italian football.

 

8. Mancini

Mancini was the first player to join Jose Mourinho's Inter. The Brazilian winger has been playing excellently for several consecutive seasons at Roma and just now he has the chance to shine as a world-class player. Mancini has been a star in Roma's squad, yet has never been given the attention he deserves.

 

7. Frederic Kanoute  

Kanoute is a very classy target man. A player who has helped Sevilla win two consecutive UEFA Cups and be the dark horse of La Liga in several seasons.

 

6. Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure is an excellent defender who can even cause danger with his free-kicks and headers. But although he has a great influence on Arsenal and is a loved figure at the Emirates, Toure is actually underrated. It is still unannounced, but Toure is one of the best defenders in the EPL and the world.

 

5. Morten Gamst Pedersen

A creative and classy winger, dribbler, and an excellent set piece player. Pedersen would have been the subject of praise of all the critics had he been at Manchester United. It is a shame that a player of his quality plays at Blackburn Rovers.

 

4. Esteban Cambiasso

Cambiasso has been excellent ever since he arrived from River to Real Madrid. Real let him go to Inter on a free-transfer and have surely regretted their decision. Cambiasso is a complete midfielder and is one of the most underrated players in the world.

 

3. Andrea Pirlo

Pirlo is arguably the best set-piece taker in the world. His passes and crosses are perfect while he is a unique player. An excellent player both defensively and offensively, Pirlo is a player who can make the difference in the big matches.

 

2. David Trezeguet

Apparently scoring 20 goals a season is not good enough for Raymond Domenech, who seems unimpressed with Trezeguet's brilliant goal tally. Trezeguet is one of the best finishers in the world. Yes there are better dribblers in the world, but Trezeguet can score whenever offered the opportunity.

 

1. Clarence Seedorf

The only player who has won the Champions League with three different clubs, Clarence Seedorf is an integral part in Milan's system. Seedorf is a creative midfielder with accurate passing. Seedorf is another excellent player who did not feature in his national team's Euro 2008 campaign.

Honorable mentions

Sanli Tuncay

Sebastien Frey

Julio Cruz

Brad Friedel  

Follow the link below for Zahi Sahli's latest "English Talk" article:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/60652-english-talk-respect-just-a-little-bit

Jose Mourinho is still the same charismatic yet arrogant manager he was at Chelsea:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/61068-calcio-fever-mourinho-is-still-mourinho