Every season, the spotlight falls on the usual superstars—Kane, Mbappé, Bellingham. But beneath the glitz lies another story: that of footballers quietly building their teams’ success without the media hype or glamorous headlines.
Here are 10 players flying under the radar this season, but whose performances demand far more recognition.
1. Guglielmo Vicario – Tottenham (Goalkeeper) 🇮🇹
Key stat: +4.6 Post-Shot Expected Goals (PSxG ±)
Few expected Vicario to adequately replace Hugo Lloris, but the Italian has exceeded all expectations. His PSxG ± indicates he’s saved nearly five goals that were statistically expected to go in. Calm with the ball, alert in the box—Tottenham’s new last line of defense deserves far more praise.
2. Alejandro Grimaldo – Bayer Leverkusen (Left-back) 🇪🇸
Key stat: 13 Bundesliga assists (2023–24), 62 chances created this season
Signed on a free from Benfica, Grimaldo is now a vital piece in Xabi Alonso’s high-flying Leverkusen squad. With his pinpoint crossing and long-range threat, he’s been instrumental in their attacking buildup—but somehow still escapes mainstream acclaim outside Germany.
3. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen (Attacking Midfielder) 🇩🇪
Key stat: 9 goals, 10 assists in Bundesliga, 6 goals in the Europa League
The Leverkusen orchestra plays to Wirtz’s tempo. Still just 21, his balance, vision, and final-third decision-making are elite. Yet, he’s often left out of “best midfielders” debates dominated by the likes of Musiala or Bellingham. A criminal oversight.
4. Charles De Ketelaere – Atalanta (Attacking Midfielder / Forward) 🇧🇪
Key stat: 10 goals, 9 assists in all competitions
After being branded a flop at AC Milan, De Ketelaere has resurrected his form at Atalanta. His fluid dribbling and creative spark suit Gasperini’s system perfectly. Once written off, the Belgian now thrives—still waiting on the praise he’s earned.
5. Serhou Guirassy – Stuttgart (Striker) 🇬🇳
Key stat: 28 Bundesliga goals
Guirassy broke Lewandowski’s record with 13 goals in his first seven matches this season. He’s now Germany’s second-highest scorer behind Kane. And yet, transfer rumours around him remain muted. Overshadowed, overlooked—but statistically unstoppable.
6. Lucas Paquetá – West Ham (Midfielder) 🇧🇷
Key stat: 2.2 tackles + 2.0 key passes per game
Elegant yet gritty, Paquetá defies the “lazy Brazilian” stereotype. He breaks lines, presses relentlessly, and offers vision in attack. A crucial cog in West Ham’s midfield engine—but he’s still viewed as just a flair player by many. Lazy takes, indeed.
7. Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford (Right Winger) 🇨🇲
Key stat: 8 goals in 11 games before injury
With Ivan Toney suspended, Mbeumo became Brentford’s talisman—and delivered. His off-ball movement and composed finishing kept the Bees buzzing. Linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, yet fans rarely mention him in elite winger conversations.
8. Hakan Çalhanoğlu – Inter Milan (Deep-lying Playmaker) 🇹🇷
Key stat: 2.5 key passes + 9.2 progressive passes per match
Once known mostly for his free kicks, Çalhanoğlu has evolved into a complete regista. He dictates Inter’s tempo and breaks lines effortlessly, while offering defensive cover. Despite being the brain of a title-winning side, he rarely gets the credit.
9. Orkun Kökçü – Benfica (Midfielder) 🇹🇷
Key stat: 88% pass accuracy, 2.1 key passes per game
Following in the footsteps of Enzo Fernández, Kökçü has brought stability and verticality to Benfica’s midfield. Simple yet effective, his vision and press-resistance make him one of the best under-the-radar midfielders in Europe.
10. Kim Min-jae – Bayern Munich (Centre-back) 🇰🇷
Key stat: 3.4 clearances + 2.1 interceptions per game
Nicknamed “The Monster”, Kim was a rock at Napoli and brought his strength to Bayern. Despite playing in an often chaotic backline, he remained one of the most consistent performers. Strong in duels, sharp in positioning—his profile screams elite, but he often gets scapegoated for Bayern’s collective flaws.
⚽ Final Thoughts
These ten players aren’t just stats—they’re game-changers in silence. While the headlines go elsewhere, they deliver week in, week out. In a footballing world obsessed with hype, it’s time we gave them their flowers.
