EPL 2016/17: Underrated XI

Tom Heaton had a stunner against Manchester United

We are now a little over a quarter of the way through the current 2016/17 Premier League season and bit by bit, the pretenders and the contenders for the title are being separated from one another. The top 3 teams are separated by virtue of goal difference alone with the teams in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th not far behind.

As the season has progressed plenty of players have earned plaudits for putting in splendid performances whereas others have been criticized for not being up to the mark. Here we take a look at those that have flown mostly under the radar and perhaps deserve more appreciation than they have been shown.

Also read: Free agent XI for the 2016-17 season

On that note, take a look at the underrated XI of the Premier League

Goalkeeper: Tom Heaton – Burnley

To many, this particular inclusion might seem a tad bit surprising. After all, he put in a phenomenal performance against Manchester United, making 11 saves, helping Burnley to a point and leaving the Theater of Dreams with a clean sheet.

But before this match, most of his performances went largely unnoticed. He has made the most saves of any keeper in the top-division (34) and has consistently put in great performances for Burnley, being an integral part of their last 2 promotion pushes. The former Manchester United academy graduate is, however, inexplicably, still the 4^th choice for England behind Joe Hart, Jack Butland and Fraser Forster.

Alternatives: Adrian (West Ham United), Ben Forster (West Bromwich Albion)