Your Team's Unsung hero is... (Part 2)
by Chris
Welcome to the fourth day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
Every team has their stars, with the media attention and highlight reels endlessly displaying their aesthetically pleasing delights on a football field. But it's those who work hard, and do the so-called 'dirty work' which provide the opportunity for these players to shine above all. Here I will give my opinion on 10 Premier League clubs' so-called unsung hero and why.
Of course this is up for debate, and I will happily entertain the opinions of all willing to give theirs. Either leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me a message and I will certainly consider them.
Manchester City - EDERSON Moraes (Brazil)
Manchester City's devastating attack has been the source of much praise this season, but their defensive solidarity has been completely underrated this season. The second best defence in the league is coupled with one of the most tactically astute goalkeepers in the league. Ederson has a save rate per goal of 2.0, which is average in the Premier League, but his passing and braveness as a sweeper keeper leave him as one of the most underrated in the League
Manchester United - Antonio VALENCIA (Ecuador)
The Ecuadorian was a fringe player until the appointment of Jose Mourinho, where he was first utilised at full back, and since then he has made the place his own and has been well worth the £16m Sir Alex Ferguson parted with back in 2009. He's completed the 10th most passes in the Premier League for a defender, which is quite an achievement considering he's the only Man United defender in the top 30. The style of Mourinho doesn't allow too much for expansive play, so his achievement on the ball has to be recognised.
Newcastle United - Ciaran CLARK (Republic of Ireland)
Clark is yet another of Aston Villa's relegation squad, and the reason why they got relegated might have been because they had too many unsung heroes and not too many who actually took the mantle and did anything, but a foundation of Newcastle's championship win and okay start to the Premier League this season. He's made more clearances and is Newcastle's joint top scorer this season/ Admittedly, that is 2 goals, but even so!
Southampton - Oriol ROMEU (Spain)
The ex-Chelsea sitting midfielder has really established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the Saints' XI. He's completed more passes than any other player currently in the bottom half at 929. And of course the Spaniard does bring Champions League winning pedigree to Pellegrino's squad, winning the famous trophy in 2012 with Chelsea. He certainly would fit in at a higher level, because of his education at the La Masia academy, and recent rumours have linked the central midfielder back to the Nou Camp in recent seasons.
Stoke City - Darren FLETCHER (Scotland)
The ex West Brom captain arrived with intrigue at the Bet365 this summer, with people perhaps suggesting the tenacious Scotsman is past his best. This has been proven to not be the case, with the box-to-box engine still alive and kicking through all the unfortunate injuries and illnesses Fletcher has endured. His stats also prove this, having completed the most passes again for the Potters, as he did for West Bromwich last season.
Swansea City - Kyle NAUGHTON (England)
This is a tough one. Paul Clement's men haven't had the most fantastic start to the season, but Naughton has probably been one of two decent performers for Swansea so far, and the other one being Tammy Abraham;, who has received media praise,the ex Spurs man is pretty much the only choice. He has completed more passes than any other Swansea City player and anyone else currently in the relegation zone. He also has completed more than double the interceptions than any other Swans player, making him the standout. He again realistically should be playing at a higher level if he ever wants to be considered for England.
Tottenham Hotspur - Hueng-Min SON (South Korea)
Whenever you hear the praise heaped on Spurs, you hear names thrown around such as Kane, Alli, Eriksen and Lloris. Son is usually quite far down this pecking order, which perhaps could seem uncalled for due to his record. Although he's only hit 3 this season, he hit 14 last season and won player of the month twice after a mediocre first season at the Lane. His performances against Liverpool and Palace this season have recreated last seasons' form but if he is to improve then he will improve Spurs' fortunes single handedly, or he at least has the potential to.
Watford - Abdoulaye DOUCOURE (France)
The Frenchman has been an absolutely key part of Watford's very decent start to the Premier League season. Hitting 5 goals and having a better tackle percentage of any other Watford midfielder clearly show his ability as a box-to-box midfielder, and his stunning goals against Arsenal and Liverpool have given the former Rennes man a little bit of media limelight, but I personally would give him the tag of Watford's Yaya Toure or of the like, and I would happily take him at my club.
West Bromwich Albion - Ben FOSTER (England)
Ben Foster isn't often mentioned a one of England's top 'keepers anymore, but it's a certainty that if he was not between the sticks for the Albion they would not be above the relegation zone but in it. The United trainee has made 33 saves this season and conceded twenty, a better ratio than any in the bottom 8 in the Premier League. There is no doubt that he is out performing some of England's in contention goalkeepers and doesn't get as much praise as he deserves.
West Ham United - Angelo OGBONNA (Italy)
The laid-back former Juventus centre back has been one of West Ham's only consistent performers at either end this season, with the Italian scoring goals against both Man City and Tottenham as West Ham attempt to settle under David Moyes. Although West Ham's defence is not one for wanting, the Irons are certainly more solid when he is there alongside Winston Reid rather than Collins or Rice.
Welcome to the fourth day of the Sporting Lowdown advent calendar! This will be continued until the 24th December so any requests for my opinion will most likely be included in the 24 and in the future.
Every team has their stars, with the media attention and highlight reels endlessly displaying their aesthetically pleasing delights on a football field. But it's those who work hard, and do the so-called 'dirty work' which provide the opportunity for these players to shine above all. Here I will give my opinion on 10 Premier League clubs' so-called unsung hero and why.
Of course this is up for debate, and I will happily entertain the opinions of all willing to give theirs. Either leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me a message and I will certainly consider them.
Manchester City - EDERSON Moraes (Brazil)
Manchester City's devastating attack has been the source of much praise this season, but their defensive solidarity has been completely underrated this season. The second best defence in the league is coupled with one of the most tactically astute goalkeepers in the league. Ederson has a save rate per goal of 2.0, which is average in the Premier League, but his passing and braveness as a sweeper keeper leave him as one of the most underrated in the League
Manchester United - Antonio VALENCIA (Ecuador)
The Ecuadorian was a fringe player until the appointment of Jose Mourinho, where he was first utilised at full back, and since then he has made the place his own and has been well worth the £16m Sir Alex Ferguson parted with back in 2009. He's completed the 10th most passes in the Premier League for a defender, which is quite an achievement considering he's the only Man United defender in the top 30. The style of Mourinho doesn't allow too much for expansive play, so his achievement on the ball has to be recognised.
Newcastle United - Ciaran CLARK (Republic of Ireland)
Clark is yet another of Aston Villa's relegation squad, and the reason why they got relegated might have been because they had too many unsung heroes and not too many who actually took the mantle and did anything, but a foundation of Newcastle's championship win and okay start to the Premier League this season. He's made more clearances and is Newcastle's joint top scorer this season/ Admittedly, that is 2 goals, but even so!
Southampton - Oriol ROMEU (Spain)
The ex-Chelsea sitting midfielder has really established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the Saints' XI. He's completed more passes than any other player currently in the bottom half at 929. And of course the Spaniard does bring Champions League winning pedigree to Pellegrino's squad, winning the famous trophy in 2012 with Chelsea. He certainly would fit in at a higher level, because of his education at the La Masia academy, and recent rumours have linked the central midfielder back to the Nou Camp in recent seasons.
Stoke City - Darren FLETCHER (Scotland)
The ex West Brom captain arrived with intrigue at the Bet365 this summer, with people perhaps suggesting the tenacious Scotsman is past his best. This has been proven to not be the case, with the box-to-box engine still alive and kicking through all the unfortunate injuries and illnesses Fletcher has endured. His stats also prove this, having completed the most passes again for the Potters, as he did for West Bromwich last season.
Swansea City - Kyle NAUGHTON (England)
This is a tough one. Paul Clement's men haven't had the most fantastic start to the season, but Naughton has probably been one of two decent performers for Swansea so far, and the other one being Tammy Abraham;, who has received media praise,the ex Spurs man is pretty much the only choice. He has completed more passes than any other Swansea City player and anyone else currently in the relegation zone. He also has completed more than double the interceptions than any other Swans player, making him the standout. He again realistically should be playing at a higher level if he ever wants to be considered for England.
Tottenham Hotspur - Hueng-Min SON (South Korea)
Whenever you hear the praise heaped on Spurs, you hear names thrown around such as Kane, Alli, Eriksen and Lloris. Son is usually quite far down this pecking order, which perhaps could seem uncalled for due to his record. Although he's only hit 3 this season, he hit 14 last season and won player of the month twice after a mediocre first season at the Lane. His performances against Liverpool and Palace this season have recreated last seasons' form but if he is to improve then he will improve Spurs' fortunes single handedly, or he at least has the potential to.
Watford - Abdoulaye DOUCOURE (France)
The Frenchman has been an absolutely key part of Watford's very decent start to the Premier League season. Hitting 5 goals and having a better tackle percentage of any other Watford midfielder clearly show his ability as a box-to-box midfielder, and his stunning goals against Arsenal and Liverpool have given the former Rennes man a little bit of media limelight, but I personally would give him the tag of Watford's Yaya Toure or of the like, and I would happily take him at my club.
West Bromwich Albion - Ben FOSTER (England)
Ben Foster isn't often mentioned a one of England's top 'keepers anymore, but it's a certainty that if he was not between the sticks for the Albion they would not be above the relegation zone but in it. The United trainee has made 33 saves this season and conceded twenty, a better ratio than any in the bottom 8 in the Premier League. There is no doubt that he is out performing some of England's in contention goalkeepers and doesn't get as much praise as he deserves.
West Ham United - Angelo OGBONNA (Italy)
The laid-back former Juventus centre back has been one of West Ham's only consistent performers at either end this season, with the Italian scoring goals against both Man City and Tottenham as West Ham attempt to settle under David Moyes. Although West Ham's defence is not one for wanting, the Irons are certainly more solid when he is there alongside Winston Reid rather than Collins or Rice.
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