Plaudits and public acclaim come naturally to some, whereas others have to work that bit harder to be noticed. Not everyone can be a prolific goalscorer or highly marketable superstar so, to redress the balance, here are five outstanding performers whose efforts are often overlooked.
Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea
A model professional who can be relied upon to give an excellent performance anywhere across the back line. Bought as a right back, before Antonio Conte’s arrival, Azpilicueta had played most of his games for Chelsea at left back. Even on his weaker foot, he established himself as one of the Premier League’s leading defenders in one-on-one situations.
The Spanish international has played at least 40 games in each of his five seasons at Stamford Bridge so far, and is on course to do so again. Now fielded as part of a back three, he makes up for his lack of height with excellent positioning, a superb work rate and reading of the game.
Wilfred Ndidi – Leicester City
Plenty of the credit for Leicester’s revival, which sees them eighth in the table after a difficult start to the season, has been awarded to Claude Puel and his two star attackers – Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. But Wilfred Ndidi, the engine room of their midfield, has been irrepressible.
Full of energy, desire and determination, he covers an incredible amount of ground, routinely winning the ball and carrying it forward to initiate attacks. His telescopic legs seem to reach out to block passes or make tackles that don’t seem possible, and he can play too. Still only 21, the versatile Nigerian now looks a snip at £16million.
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James Tarkowski - Burnley
It was widely assumed that Burnley would struggle this season after Michael Keane and Andre Gray moved to Everton and Watford respectively. Questions were asked about who could conceivably fill the gaps left behind by the loss of their best defender and biggest goal threat. While money was invested in a replacement striker, James Tarkowski has slotted in seamlessly at the back.
Signed from Brentford in controversial circumstances two years ago, he has had to wait for a proper run in the side. The 25-year-old centre back has stepped up to the mark impressively, missing just three games due to a ban for violent conduct after striking out at Brighton’s Glenn Murray.
Lukasz Fabianski – Swansea City
Fabianski was one of several goalkeepers given the chance to prove themselves in the fallow years between Jens Lehmann’s departure and Petr Cech’s arrival. The number one shirt was up for grabs and Manuel Almunia, Wojciech Szczęsny and Vito Mannone also had spells in goal but made sloppy errors and failed to prove themselves up to the task.
Considered to be a liability, the Polish international finally left the Emirates in 2014, joining Swansea on a free transfer. He’s been the club’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper ever since moving to South Wales and doesn’t get the credit he deserves for consistently stellar performances. Fabianski’s form has been one of the key factors in Swansea not getting cut adrift at the bottom.
Heung-Min Son – Tottenham Hotspur
Often a bit-part player in his first two seasons in England, regularly involved but rarely a guaranteed starter, Heung-Min Son has been brilliant recently. Technically excellent, his clever movement has meshed well with that of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane as part of a fluid and enterprising front four.
Considering the great physical demands of their up-tempo playing style, rotation is vital to ensuring Mauricio Pochettino’s team remain competitive on all fronts, but Son’s vibrant performances have rendered him almost undroppable. On Saturday, he added another goal and assist to his collection against Everton.
