It is not surprising that some players attract more attention than others but that doesn’t make anyone is less a player, the list of most underrated La Liga players in 2021 is about some of the players who in my opinion are not noticed as much even with their excellent performance.
A team is made up of a pack of talented and unique players. It is the uniqueness of individual players that makes a team what it is. Mostly, every football manager wants a squad with different quality of players.
Just like their playing position differs, individual skills differ too and that gives a football manager the option to pick the player that best suits his pattern of play.
However, in as much as a team is applauded collectively, some players are rarely noticed, therefore they don’t receive just the deserved accolade.
The Most Underrated La Liga Players in 2021
10. Gabriel Paulista – Villarreal
At 30-years, Brazillian central defender Gabriel has played for different clubs across Europe including Vitoria, Villarreal, Arsenal and Valencia.
In the early years of his professional career while at Vitoria, his first senior team, Gabriel was outstanding and that earned him two Campeonato Baiano titles and subsequently became the runner-up in the 2010 Copa do Brasil.
While playing for Arsenal, he won several trophies with the English club including FA Cup (2014-15 and 2016-17) and FA Community Shield in 2015.
9. Renato Tapia – Celta
26-year-old defensive midfielder is one of the most underrated La Liga players of 2021. He is renowned for his aggressive playing style both in his national team and club.
He plays in the defensive midfield position for the Peruvian national team as well as his club side Celta Vigo. He joined the Spanish club in 2020 on a four year contract. Prior to that he has played for Jong Twente, Feyenoord and Willem II.
He made his national team senior debut in March 2015 and was among the 24-man squad to represent Peru in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
8. Cristian Portu – Real Sociedad
The 29-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder began his professional career playing for the Valencia B team in 2009. He made 129 appearances for the team and scored 5 times before joining the Valencia main team for a short period.
He has played for Albacete, Girona FC where he scored 8 goals in his first season with 8 assists. Portu signed for Real Sociedad in 2019 for a transfer fee of €10 million on a five year contract.
He has been an influential player for the La Liga club and has made 114 appearances and scored 29 goals. Portu is just one of the La Liga underrated player in 2021.
7. Marc Cucurella – Getafe
The 23-year-old Spanish midfielder started his career playing for Barcelona team B, Barcelona, Eibar (loan) and Getafe. So far he has scored seven goals.
Cucurella has represented the Spanish national team at different levels including U16, U17, U18, U19, U20, U21, and U23. He was among the Spanish squad that won the Summer Olympic silver medal in 2020.
He is currently signed to Getafe and does not seem to be getting the hype that he really deserve.
6. Rui Silva – Betis
The 27-year-old Portuguese goalkeeper began his professional career playing for in his local league with FC Maia. He moved to CD Nacional in 2012 and made his debut for the club 2 years later.
On the 11th of May, Silva made his first appearance for the Primeira Liga in a match against Gil Vicente FC. shortly afterwards he displayed Eduardo Gottardi to become the first keeper of choice.
In 2016, Silva joined Granada where he played a more prominent role. He made a total of 128 appearances for the club before his departure to Real Betis on a five year contract.
See Also: The Goalkeepers With The Most Career Clean Sheets In Soccer History
5. Javi Galan – Celta
The 26-year-old Spanish left-back can fit very well in the left wing. His pattern of play has been described to be like that of Wayne Rooney. Javi started with CD San Roque Badjoz in 2013.
After playing for several teams now in the lower division, Javi signed a five-year contract with Celta on the 31st of July 2021. He is a powerful defender that makes good tackles and interceptions.
4. Inigo Martinez – Athletic Bilbao
Who holds the third place best defensive record in La Liga? It is no other than the 30-year-old Spanish centre-back who plays for Athletic Bilbao.
Martinez was tagged alongside Yerat Alvarez and Txuriurdin as the most consistent footballers. He was called up for the Spain international team after winning the U21 European Championship.
It is unclear why the Spanish media does not pay much attention to this Martinez whose defensive skills can be likened to that of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.
3. Youssef En-Nesyri – Sevilla FC
The 24-year-old Moroccan forward has won the UEFA Europa League 2019-20 season with Sevilla and the UEFA Super Cup runners-up in 2020. He was influential for Sevilla UEFA campaign and has netted several goals for the La liga side.
En-Nesyri has made made 39 appearances for his national team and scored a total of 11 goals. In Spain the Striker has played for different clubs including Malaga and Leganes.
En-Nesyri is one of the top scorers in Spain. Scoring 13 goals in La Liga in the in the 2020-21 season placing his name behind Luis Suarez and Messi.
2. Bryan Gil – Tottenham Hotspur
Bryan Gil has put pen on paper for the English side Tottenham Hotspur however, he had spent a great deal of his career in the Spanish league playing for the several teams including Sevilla B, Sevilla, Leganes (loan), and Eibar (loan).
Bryan Gil is just 20 years old, but the winger has shown that he is promising to appear as one of the most underrated La Liga players in 2021 having played for the Spanish national teams at different levels including U16, U17, U18, U19, U21, and U23. He made his senior international debut in the match against Greece.
1. Francis Coquelin – Villarreal
He may not have had the best of his professional career which has been plaqued by injuries. 30-year-old French defensive midfielder had a fast breakthrough into the top flight league in 2014-15 season playing for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal Squad.
Despite battling with injury crisis, Coquelin has continously been on the improvement. He is a good team player and was once tagged a “Police Officer” on the pitch by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
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