Park Ji Sung, Robbie Keane and 15 of the EPL's Most Underrated Players

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The dictionary definition of underrated has it as “to rate or evaluate too low; underestimate.” (dictionary.com).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic once said; “I’m the best player in the world. I really feel that way.” For that oh so subtle of reason, I cannot really justify labelling Zlatan as underrated.

Praise for the plethora of the EPL’s top stars is two a penny. “Oh look at that brilliant kick-off from Wayne Rooney,” titillates the infatuated fanboy, before toddling off to watch Rooney’s best bits on YouTube for the seventh time that hour.

Yet, there is a different breed. There are those that, despite possessing great skill with the spherical ball, outside of restricted spheres are not fully appreciated. These players are at almost every club in the division, they are great players, but not headline stealers, and thereby lies the crux, too many people don’t read the club’s body text.

SO enamoured are we with even the most irrelevant nuances of our heroes' lives that even something as trivial, verging on the irrelevant, as Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant instilled widespread fervour. I wonder if we would get the same reaction if anyone in this list followed suite? Somehow I doubt it…

Feel free to suggest any of your own and to refute any inclusions—although I would be surprised if any on the list didn’t fit the moniker—and if they are good enough, I will add them on.

Like Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg in last year’s smash hit comedy: Let's here it for the Other Guys.

Jussi Jaaskelainen: Bolton Goalkeeper

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Jussi has been at Bolton so long now, he is almost a part of the Premiership furniture.

In Bolton's career which has spanned in excess of 14 years, the Finnish national has amassed a huge 458 appearances for his adopted club.

A brilliant shot-stopper, the only reason Jaaskelainen’s Bolton tenure hasn’t been more revered is as a result of the sometimes questionable defending in front of him that has elevated the “goals against” tally.

You only need take one look at last season to empathise with the regard Bolton hold Jussi, however. A certain Ali Al-Habsi, received rave reviews after a great season for Wigan. Yet Al-Habsi was on loan at the DW Stadium, and he was considered expendable enough at his parent club to make the move permanent this summer, despite his performances.

His former club? Bolton, home of Mr Jaaskelainen. Says it all really.

Park Ji Sung: Manchester United Midfielder

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Alex Ferguson certainly appreciates his merits, but too often, in a wider context, his invaluable contributions to United are forgotten.

I haven’t got enough space here to truly justify the case as I simply have to much to say.

Read this though.

Robbie Keane: Tottenham Striker

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Five years ago, Robbie Keane wouldn’t have been featured on this lift, but now with his parent club Tottenham essentially reducing him to the role of affable bench-warmer/bargaining chip, the validity of his inclusion solidifies.

The sad ignominy of Keane’s situation is such that three years ago, he was Spurs’ club captain and chief striker. How times have changed.

Robbie Keane still has more to offer the Premiership, however, and it still has more to offer him.

With rumours abounding that Keane could be set to link back up with former Spurs' boss Martin Jol at Craven cottage, here’s hoping that a line can be drawn under Keane’s Spurs' hell.

Robert Huth: Stoke Defender

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After traversing the backwaters of the English game, taking a slight detour through the grandeur of Stamford Bridge, Roberth Huth seems to have finally found home.

With a huge tally of nine goals—and in so doing becoming the club’s first defender to amass the number in a season—Huth was, last year, named the club’s player of the season.

If the 2011-12 season is as successful for Huth and Stoke City, people will start to sit up and take notice.

This list's loss will be Huth’s gain.

John O'Shea: Sunderland Defender

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The old adage, “You don’t know what you have until it has gone,” perfectly fits O’Shea following the Irishman’s departure to Steve Bruce’s retirement home for ex-United players.

For often, even from his own support—although admittedly usually in the wider sphere—O’Shea’s unique contributions were, more often than not, underplayed.

Who else has played in every single position for his side for god's sake? O’Shea takes utility man to the next stratosphere.

Now at Sunderland, it looks like O’Shea might finally achieve a rating befitting his stature, especially after being handed the captain's armband, according to The Daily Mail.

Lucas Leiva: Liverpool Midfielder

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I have to admit two years ago, I adhered to the Lucas hat bandwagon’s ethos, slating the Brazilian international at every opportunity. Yet in recent years, and especially this season, Lucas has finally began to fill his international football shoes.

The problem is that in many spheres, the patent disregard for the talent of the “old” Lucas has stuck. The reputation no longer befit’s the player.

A string of Brazilian national teams have backed him to the extent of 14 international caps for the Samba stars, and Pool boss Kenny Dalglish obviously rates him, but until the rest of the world catches up, Lucas deserves his place.

Chris Brunt: West Brom Midfielder

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In all the clamour over the admittedly highly impressive performances that were laid down last term by Albions livewire striker Peter Odemwingie, many of his teammates' contributions were rather incongruously sidelined.

For none is that a greater oversight than for the club captain, Ulsterman Chris Brunt.

Made club skipper after former boss decided to alleviate former captain Scott Carson of his duties, Brunt has revelled in the Albion side that so impressed last season.

At only 26, and with new boss Roy Hodgson’s support behind him, it looks likely that Brunt’s is a star on the rise.

Daniel Sturridge: Chelsea Striker

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For some, Sturridge’s inclusion could be deemed a misnomer, yet, after his free transfer from Man City last summer, Sturridge’s Chelsea career is yet to get off the ground.

Following the debacle surrounding the transfer of Fernando Torres’ transfer to Chelsea, Sturridge was deemed an expendable part of manager Carlo Ancellotti’s plans and shunned out on loan to Owen Coyle’s Bolton Wanderers.

At Bolton Sturridge, heaped further mockery on the Torres transfer deal, scoring an amazing eight goals in 12 league appearances for the Trotters (for the record, Torres managed 1-in-14).

Even now when he should be returned with open arms following his return to Stamford Bridge, the plethora of striking options Chelsea are pursuing in this seasons window, look set to compromise Sturridge’s stay yet further.

Boss Andre villas Boas, when queried, has repeatedly failed to provide assurances about Sturridge’s future.

My advice? Go somewhere you are appreciated Dan.

 

David Hoilett: Blackburn Forward

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In a thoroughly underwhelming Blackburn side this term, Hoilett has formed the remedy to the mire of inadequacies.

However, the fact remains that until the Venty family decide that the time is right to flex their financial muscles at Rovers, a player of Hoilett’s undoubted calibre and potential will soon become a big fish in a little pond.

Once the premiership wakes up to the merits of the Canadian international winger, a highly promising career could be on the cards.

David Vaughan: Sunderland Midfielder

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The buck-toothed grin became an all to prominent fixture last season, emblematic of Blackpool’s eventually doomed fight to avoid relegation. Yet, in the clamour over club captain Charlie Adam’s admittedly outstanding season, only a fraction was noted on his central midfield partner, Welsh international Vaughan.

However, it was Vaughan that provided the platform for much of Adam’s creativity, Vaughan that provided the link between shaky defence and slicing attack.

Now, after his recent free transfer to established Premiership force Sunderland, last year's best supporting actor may well get an overdue shot at the mainstream.

Pablo Zabaleta: Man City Utility Man

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Within a side that has the financial clout to buy a myriad of the world’s top stars about 10 times over, the sad ignominy is that a player in Zabaleta’s “dependable” mould, is almost inevitably not the star turn.

Without the Argentina international’s unique skill set on array at the United stadium, however, Mario Ballotelli’s histrionics, Carlos Tevez’s goal scoring, Yaya Toure’s pillaging runs and David Silva’s sublime ball control, would be compromised.

In a role not too dissimilar from the one O’Shea fulfilled at United so successfully, Zabaleta, fits in where he is needed, be that midfield or more often at the back.

A calming, yet unspectacular influence that facilitates the sublimations around him, Zabaleta is inherent to the progression of Man City.

Danny Murphy: Fulham Midfielder

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Fulham’s captain is essentially symptomatic of his side, quietly efficient, with a ruthless streak that ensures sustained success.

From his time at Liverpool, until now, in West London, Murphy has formed a part of the growth of the EPL.

Yet, as an understudy to the mercurially talented Steven Gerrard at the pool, Murphy has never truly managed to shake the supporting epitaph, to step into the Premiership spotlight—much like Fulham.

 

Sylvain Distin: Everton Defender

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Everton’s defenders have been all the rage in this window, with Leighton’s Baines flavour of the month, Phil Jagielka hotly favoured and even Phil Neville with potential suitors.

For the final member of the defensive club though, the interest has been negligible.

From the City of Manchester, to Fratton Park and now, for the last two years, at Goodison, Frenchman Sylvain Distin’s arrival has heralded first team status at each club.

The 6’4" defender has never been mused amongst the echelons of the Premiership's finest defenders, however, more often than not, outshone by a defensive contemporary.

Likely many of the players in this list though, such afforded anonymity does disservice to what is an exceptionally talented defender.

Cheik Tiote: Newcastle Midfielder

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You are a better man than me if you had ever heard of Tiote before last summer's World Cup, yet after a strong showing for Didier Drogba’s Ivory Coast, he signed for Newcastle in a $3 million deal.

The deal in hindsight, can be considered a major coup, as following a debut season quite possibly only usurped by Javier Hernandez at Manchester United, Tiote was handed a brand new six-year deal only six months after joining the club.

If Mike Ashley could possibly take some time out of his day to reach for his wallet, Tiote may find himself with a clutch of teammates befitting his stature, rather than Leon Best.

 

Kevin Davies: Bolton Striker

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To me Davies sums up the underrated mantra that bisects this list.

Despite now, at 33, in all due respect coming to the end of his pro career, Davies has a risible solitary England cap to show for his 18 years of playing.

Bolton’s goal-scoring threat for the past eight years, Davies almost unparalleled physicality has brought many a lilly-livered defender to his knees.

One cap you say? Oh sorry, I forgot how successful the England national team have been over the past 10 years. Dave Nugent?

Yes of course, pardon my stupidity, how did I forget?