One of the easiest things to do in world football is to place blame. Whether your team is injury-prone, allowing too many goals, not scoring enough goals (or, that horrific combo where you are suffering from all of the previous issues), or not buying any worthwhile players in the transfer window, the fingers are quick to point out the issues. However, sometimes, players can receive a large amount of praise, large amounts of money, large amounts of time on the pitch, and the best FIFA ratings that EA can muster…while their actual play on the pitch is, dare we say, pitiful. It is in these situations where someone has to point shatter the rose colored glasses and label them “overrated,” so it seems appropriate that someone with zero credentials should be in charge of that…so, here we go!

5. Kevin Mirallas – Everton

Kevin Mirallas of Everton

While 2013-14 saw the Belgian attacker starting to grow within the Everton squad and actually look like he belonged, 2014-15 has seen Mirallas stepping back into old habits. Much like when he first arrived, Mirallas is too quick to take a shot or attempt to beat several defenders instead of choosing a simpler pass. With manager Martinez continuing to institute positive change around Goodison Park, Mirallas (despite an amazing recent goal against Tottenham) seems to continue to look focused on himself instead of the club. While his play and attitude may result in Everton making an eventual profit and continuing to work with an impressive business model, his usefulness within the Everton 11 feels like it is in an odd place.

4. Erik Lamela – Tottenham

While two of his teammates are making a serious run at the “underrated” list, Lamela has looked like a player whose transfer fee and Europa League/Rabona goal are the only things keeping him on the pitch. Opposition fans and players quickly learn to hate him as he gets caught up in small arguments and petty disagreements, his passes lose their fluidity and accuracy the higher the pressure on Lamela, and other new transfers are starting to show their class as Lamela seems to be farther and farther away from making actual sense on the pitch. His tackles are too risky for him to be employed defensively and Eriksen/Dembele are better choices in the attack…25 millions pounds is always a high price to pay for a player, but will it prove to be too much for the ex-Roma man?

1/2/& 3. Liverpool

Liverpool lose

AP Image

Yes, that’s right…the whole team (quit whining…it’s my list). While it is ridiculous to ask a 34-year-old Gerrard to play at his best as often as Liverpool has asked him to, the rest of the squad has been completely abysmal. Flashes of quality from players like Coutinho, Sterling, and a few others only serve as a reminder of how far this team has fallen, but the constant failings of Balotelli, Markovic, Lovren, Mignolet, Allen, Johnson, Lambert, Lucas, Skrtel, etc., etc., etc. show another season of unfulfilled promise. The reason they are only 1/2/& 3 instead of covering all five is because I wanted to keep it uncluttered…and avoid adding too much salt in the recent Man U wound…

“Honorable” Mention

Edin Dzeko – Manchester City

While strike-partner Aguero has been ridiculously amazing this season, Dzeko only has 4 goals and 2 assists in this campaign (with 2 goals coming in the League Cup). Despite the club always seeming unwilling to part with the ex-Wolfsburg player, his filling of the current Aguero-injury-void may determine his future in Manchester.

Fandom

This season has been hysterical for those of us that do have a particular club we root for, but tend to stay away from crying after matches or letting results change our actual lives. Newcastle pre-revelation, Arsenal (always), Liverpool, and countless sets of fans this season have already jumped from two to three different bandwagons/trains-of-thought. If you truly want to enjoy the Premier League, just enjoy it either as a neutral or as someone with a brain (and, a life outside of one club’s 90-minute weekly/bi-weekly performance). Know what I did when Liverpool got knocked out of the Champions League? Neither do I…because it wasn’t that important. Want to insult someone/me on a certain color, flag or jersey I wear? Please…re-examine some priorities…

Keep an eye out for a much more practical, non-Liverpool flooded underrated list to follow. Jordon is already excited as I can guarantee that at least ONE Australian player will probably be on the list. So, what do you think of our overrated list? Do you agree? Disagree? Is there anyone you would add? Let us know! (Although, considering nearly every player that makes this list each season turns around and has a great 2nd half, you guys may end up thanking me!)

 

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