7 Underrated Soccer Players
There are different reasons why soccer fans learn more about the teams and soccer players. Some do that for fun and because they admire the athletes. Some just want to support their local teams and therefore be aware of who plays where. Other fans still are interested in soccer because they can bet on their favorite teams or players at casinos with no deposit bonuses and get more benefit from their favorite team winning than just excitement. Whatever the case is, if you want to know more about soccer, check out the names of these seven “dark horses” that might seem to have underperformed before but they can surprise you just in the next season!
Douglas Luiz
Age: 26
Team: Aston Villa
Position: Central Midfielder
Luiz began his career at Vasco da Gama before joining Manchester City, where he struggled. Aston Villa acquired him in July 2019 for nearly $17 million, just before their return to the Premier League. Luiz was crucial for Aston Villa in the 2021/22 season and made 35 appearances. In October 2022, he signed a new long-term contract with the club. This Brazilian defensive midfielder has been a key force behind Villa’s success.
He has displayed versatility in his playstyle, adapting from a possession disruptor to a more creative and productive player under the leadership of manager Unai Emery. This versatility is a valuable asset in midfield and allows for greater tactical flexibility. He surely deserves more love from the soccer fans and hopefully, his further career will bring him more appreciation.
Lewis Dunk
Age: 32
Team: Brighton & Hove Albion
Position: Centre-back
Lewis Dunk, a product of Brighton and Hove Albion’s youth educational program, has been with the club since 2003. As team captain, he has played over 400 games since his debut in the 2009/10 season. Joining when Brighton was in League One, he has developed into one of the Premier League and Europa League’s top ball-playing defenders.
Despite his strong defensive skills and positioning, Dunk is often overlooked by the England national team, and this is even though his consistency has been key to Brighton’s long-term success. His loyalty, dedication, and consistency should warrant his recognition at the international level. Dunk’s ability to adapt is worth some admiration.
Jarrad Branthwaite
Age: 21
Team: Everton
Position: Centre-back
During the 2022/23 season, Jarrad Branthwaite had a successful loan spell at PSV in the Netherlands, making 37 appearances, and two in UEFA Champions League qualifiers. He scored four goals and helped PSV win the KNVB Cup by defeating Ajax in the final. His strong performances earned him a spot in England’s squad for the 2023 Under-21 European Championships, which the team won.
Upon returning to Everton, Branthwaite got a place in Sean Dyche’s starting lineup, leading to a new four-year contract in October 2023. Despite Everton’s off-field issues and a ten-point deduction, his performance in defense was crucial for the team.
Guglielmo Vicario
Age: 27
Team: Goalkeeper
Position: Tottenham Hotspur
Guglielmo Vicario’s signing with Tottenham Hotspur surprised many soccer fans who mistakenly thought he was a newcomer to football. At 27, he has already had an interesting career journey, starting with Serie A’s Udinese. After spells with Italian clubs, he achieved noticeable success at Empoli.
Tottenham secured him for €17.2 million in the summer of 2023. In Tottenham, Vicario became a key player. During his two years at Empoli, he played 71 games, earning his first international call-up for Italy’s UEFA Nations League campaign in September 2022. His ability to adapt and thrive in different environments suggests a promising career ahead even though he is still somewhat overlooked.
Alex Iwobi
Age: 28
Team: Fulham
Position: Midfielder
After moving from Arsenal to Everton for £34 million, Alex Iwobi initially struggled to justify his price tag; many fans and experts were critical of whether he was worth the time. However, he regained his form at Goodison Park by transitioning to a deeper midfield role from his original winger position.
Later, Everton’s financial challenges became the reason for his £22 million transfer to Fulham. In just 13 appearances for Fulham, Iwobi has scored three league goals, surpassing his best season tally at Everton and matching his top performance with Arsenal. It seems that after this successful appearance, his career should stabilize and he will finally get the recognition he deserves.
Diogo Dalot
Age: 25
Team: Manchester United
Position: Right-back, left-back
Manchester United is known for its turbulent and quickly changing environment and because of that, it is always hard to tell whether its players underperform or simply struggle to survive the chaos. Diogo Dalot has encountered hurdles but has recently displayed noticeable consistency.
As the team’s first-choice right-back, he boasts one of the highest average ratings this season, thus showing much better performance than before. Dalot’s reliability stands out in the background of the struggles of his colleagues, making him a reliable player during a challenging period for the club. Dalot’s ability to perform well under pressure and be a dependable performer is invaluable and is a positive factor for the club’s future.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Age: 25
Team: Arsenal
Position: Centre-back
Tomiyasu began his career with Avispa Fukuoka in Japan in June 2015 before moving to Belgian club Sint-Truiden after 52 appearances. He then transferred to Serie A club Bologna, where he played for two years. There, he managed to catch the eye of Premier League side Arsenal with his impressive performances in Italy.
At Arsenal, Tomiyasu initially showed outstanding skills in a key defensive role. Despite injury setbacks in his second season, he became the hero of the day due to his standout performance against Liverpool. Despite setbacks, Tomiyasu regained the trust of the coaching staff and started this season with strong performances before injuries once again interrupted his progress.