When we talk about sports betting, there’s generally a market for everyone. Football odds are widely available and football betting is part of the fun of the weekend for many. Within the Premier League odds market, first goalscorer is particularly popular. Perhaps you’ve had a bet on some of the players below, the most underrated in the Premier League of all time…
Gary Neville
Known to the younger generation as a brilliant pundit for Sky Sports, lest we forget that Gary Neville was a brilliant right-back for Manchester United and England. The unsung hero of the ‘Class of 92,’ supporters of every club can now see, thanks to his insights on Sky, why Sir Alex Ferguson had no hesitation in making him a captain of the Red Devils.
He remains the most capped right-back for England, as well as having won every domestic and international club trophy available. Without players such as Neville, the likes of David Beckham wouldn’t have a platform to build from. The ultimate unsung hero.
Peter Beardsley
In 1992, Peter Beardsley was already 31 years of age and had been at Everton for a year. He’d been their top scorer in the final season before the Premier League and although he didn’t hit those heights in his second campaign for the Toffees, he was still an important cog in the wheel.
Once former club Newcastle came calling in 1993, cash-strapped Everton were powerless to hold onto the tricky midfielder, and his 25 goals for the Magpies alongside Andy Cole’s incredible total of 41 in all competitions saw them as the most lethal in the division. Beardsley would also go on to captain the side, almost taking them to the title. Perhaps he will most be remembered for his time at Liverpool which pre-dates the Premier League, but there’s little doubt he was worth his weight in gold towards the back end of his career.
Phil Jagielka
A stalwart for both Sheffield United and Everton, that he didn’t make more of a dent in the national team is one of life’s great mysteries. Perhaps not being a ‘household name’ counted against him because he was always Mr. Consistency whenever he pulled on a jersey.
Able to play right across the back four and in all the midfield positions, his competency in all of them is a rare quality to possess. The type of reliable player that never lets you down and can always be relied upon to put in a shift in the trenches, players like Jagielka are gold dust.
Slaven Bilic
An unknown quantity when he signed for Harry Redknapp’s West Ham back in January 1996, a lot was expected of him given that the fee was a record for the club at the time. He quickly established himself as a fan favourite, and ‘Super Slav’ earned a Hammer of the Year runner-up award, beaten only by captain Julian Dicks.
Howard Kendall at Everton paid £4.5m for his services in 1997, but once Kendall was sacked, Bilic’s temperament was called into question because of a series of regrettable yellow cards. He re-established himself under new manager, Walter Smith, but couldn’t recapture his Hammers form. Nevertheless, the east Londoners got to see the very best of what he had to offer, as did the Everton fans in the early stages of his time at Goodison Park.
Steed Malbranque
This list would never be complete without Steed Malbranque. An incredible Premier League servant, he was even compared to Zinedine Zidane whilst working his magic at Fulham, his first English top-flight destination. After five years of sterling service, he signed on the dotted line with Tottenham despite interest from multiple suitors. An injury would mean that he wouldn’t debut for Spurs for 10 weeks after his transfer had been ratified, but as expected, he was well worth the wait.
An exceptional work-rate allied to his technical ability marked him out amongst his contemporaries, and one of his final acts was to help the north Londoners win the League Cup in 2008 – still their last piece of silverware. A final Premier League move to Sunderland also worked out well for a player that saw out the final years of his career in France.
Claude Makelele/N’Golo Kante
The Chelsea pair deserve a place here given that neither hogged the headlines for any other reason than just how underrated they were (and are) in the brilliant role they both undertook for Chelsea. They were consistent, hard-working, energetic and full of running, and would do the lion’s share of the donkey work for the Blues without issue.
Former England manager, Ron Greenwood, once famously said that ‘simplicity is genius,’ and particularly when applied on a football pitch. That quote could’ve been written for Makelele and Kante.
Gareth Barry
The all-time record appearance holder in the Premier League, Gareth Barry played for Aston Villa, Man City (where he won the title), Everton and West Bromwich Albion before hanging up his boots in 2020.
As with others on the list, he would rarely be a headline-maker, but his colleagues were fully aware of his importance to the team. A consummate defender who scored the odd spectacular goal or two, he was a manager’s dream and one of the first names on the team sheet.
Olivier Giroud
Any team in the world could benefit from having an Olivier Giroud in their side. Incredibly skilful and dextrous for a big front man – the scorpion kick goal anyone – he always gave his best for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
Criminally overlooked on a number of occasions by both clubs, he was, nevertheless, not in the habit of complaining and only interested in the bigger picture. Physically imposing, phenomenally accurate with his shooting and excellent in the air, the only shame is he didn’t get more game time for either London giant.
Michael Carrick
Silky smooth in possession and a real footballer’s footballer. Came through at West Ham alongside the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole, and whilst not the big name that his contemporaries were, he was just as important.
As she also showed later on at Manchester United, he knew how to pick a pass, and he was one of those players that no matter how busy the midfield areas used to be, he always seemed to have time. An absolute gem of a player.
James Milner
Just ask Jurgen Klopp how important ‘Milly’ is to his team of swashbucklers. In fact, ask Terry Venables (Leeds, 2002), Sir Bobby Robson (Newcastle 2004), David O’Leary (Aston Villa 2005) and Roberto Mancini (Man City 2010). All will say the same thing about the now 35-year-old.
No fuss, no gimmicks, no nonsense, you get exactly what it says on the tin. A tough-tackling, fully committed midfielder who gives nothing less than 100 percent in every game.
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