The Premier League is awash with talent right from the very top teams to those nearer the bottom.
But there are many players who have been consistently producing a high level of performance, yet who continue to go under the radar among fans, media and the football community as a whole.
Here’s five we think deserve more praise and to be talked about more than they are…
Ethan Pinnock
Embed from Getty ImagesThe central defender has been a massive part of Brentford consolidating themselves as a competitive Premier League team, despite competing against those with much bigger budgets and resources. He is a monster in the air, winning the second most aerial duels in the top flight so far this season and ranking seventh in that statistic last season. A fantastic defender who rarely puts a foot wrong for Thomas Frank’s side yet never seems to hit the headlines.
Pascal Gross
Embed from Getty ImagesThe versatile Brighton man has been a key player since the club have been in the Premier League but with other big names of former and current team-mates like Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson taking the spotlight, Gross is often forgotten about. Comfortable across the midfield and as a full-back, the German has consistently been one of the Seagulls’ most potent creators, scoring nine times and assisting on eight occasions in the league last season.
Fabian Schar
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s easy to forget that Schar has been at Newcastle since 2018, battling through some tough times at the club during that period. But those tough times were certainly worth it, having played an important role in securing Newcastle’s return to Champions League football last season at the heart of a defence which condeded the joint lowest number of goals over the campaign. He has gone from a fringe player at the club to becoming one of the first names on the team sheet, and has consistently put in strong defensive performances for Eddie Howe’s side.
Vladimir Coufal
Embed from Getty ImagesThe West Ham right-back didn’t enjoy his best season during the last campaign as West Ham struggled in the league despite winning the Europa Conference League title, but has started this season in fine form. Coufal has notched four assists in the opening eight games, proving to be a creative force down the right-hand side for his club and can always be counted upon to put in a reliable defensive shift too.
Douglas Luiz
Embed from Getty ImagesAston Villa’s Douglas Luiz not only provides solidity in the centre of midfield but his eye for a goal has been a big boost to his club’s revival under Unai Emery. The 25-year-old has been linked with moves to other teams in the past, including Arsenal, and that interest might not be going anywhere soon based on his performances so far this season. Luiz has netted three goals in the first eight games of the season, and his all-round midfield game has made him one of Emery’s most important players.
