Five most underrated stars in English football
Joey Barton – QPR
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Carlos Tevez of Manchester City clashes with Joey Barton of QPR after being fouled during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Keeping his aggression aside not many can argue how good a footballer Joey Barton is. But what have been pulling Barton back is the regular bans and controversies ( both infield and outfield ) which also include his time spent in jail. And all these has took a toll on his career. Having played for Manchester City and Newcastle and also an England cap under his belt, Barton is someone who deserves to play in the Champions League.
Craig Bellamy – LIVERPOOL
LOUGHBOROUGH, ENGLAND – JULY 09: Craig Bellamy of the Team GB Football team warms up during a Team GB Football training session at Champneys Hotel and Spa on July 9, 2012 in Loughborough, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
He may be playing for Liverpool now but the season before that he was playing in the Championship for Cardiff. Arguably one of the best players Wales have seen in recent times, Bellamy’s career has been tampered with injuries and frequent transfers and like Barton he is also someone who has a problem controlling his aggression. His inability to settle down at a club for a long period is a reason for him not becoming a “superstar”, however, it’s clear that Bellamy played a big role last season for Liverpool and still has some tricks under his hat.
Tim Cahill – EVERTON
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Tim Cahill of Everton scores the fourth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park on April 28, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
After David Moyes if anyone deserves the credit for Evertons midtable finish almost every season, it has to be Tim Cahill. He’s been a consistent performer for Everton since 2004. Cahill is among a select group of Australian’s who tasted success in the Premier League. However, Cahill’s failure has been the lack of interest in him from the big clubs. Though we all know him as the backbone of Everton, with better teammates around him he could have achieved more.
Kevin Davies – BOLTON
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Kevin Davies of Bolton Wanderers (R) celebrates with Dedryck Boyata as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers at Britannia Stadium on May 13, 2012 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Whenever Bolton are struggling to score, Kevin Davies is their go-to man. It’s been the story of his life. His imposing presence on the game is a rarity in the premier league. He’s the most fouled player in the history of the Premier League which tells how the opposition fears him. Though he’s 33, he is some one who don’t deserve to be in the championship.
Kevin Doyle – WOLVES
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 31: Kevin Doyle of Wolves battles with David Wheater of Bolton during the Barclays Premier League match between Wolverhapton Wanders and Bolton Wanderers at Molineux on March 31, 2012 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
Doyle took English football by storm during his time at Reading, His performances in the Championship led Reading to being promoted to the premier league for the first time in their history. And Doyle also played a big part in the 2005-06 season of Reading in the BPL where they finished 8th. His performances even grabbed the attention of the great Sir Alex Ferguson. He was transfered to Wolves in 2009 and they were relegated to the Championship last season. Though he played well, the collective failure of Wolves as a Team let him down and it will be shame to see such a talent in the Championship next Season.