Swansea City star Michu is joined by team-mate Chico and Wigan Athletic defender Ivan Ramis in having adapted to Premier League football incredibly since arriving unheralded from La Liga. So which other five players do not carry the same glow as those from Real Madrid or Barcelona but could easily perform in the Premier League.
In the Premier League we have adopted the talented La Liga player as if one of our own. David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata, Ivan Ramis, Chico and Michu are all players who have made a big impact at their respective clubs since moving to the Premier League. So which players that you may not have heard of could easily ply their trade in the Premier League?
Here are the five players in contention.
Javi Fuego – Rayo Vallecano
A team-mate at Rayo Vallecano with Swansea’s new star Michu the holding midfield player is surely one of the most under-rated players in Spain. His passing range is as exemplary as you would expect from a Spanish midfield player but is his destructive defensive qualities that stand him out. A magnificent standing tackler and a delightfully intelligent reader of the game his interception average of seven a game last season was the best in Europe above the likes of Busquets, Khedira and co.
Iago Aspas – Celta Vigo
Not only is this forward one of the most under-rated players in Spain, he is potentially in the same bracket for the entire continent. The statistics don’t lie in Aspas’s case and the fact he has created more goalscoring opportunities than anybody else in the entire league speaks massive volumes. Considering he is surrounded by the talents of Lionel Messi, Mesut Ozil and Andres Iniesta in the league the achievement becomes even more stand-out.
He was the second highest scorer in Segunda Division last year with 23 goals and so far this year has contributed three La Liga goals in seven appearances.
Benat – Real Betis
The jury is out on whether he is ‘under-rated’ or not as his recent inclusion in the Spanish national team highlights he is well regarded in his home nation. Gaining entry into the greatest national team on the planet is a difficult task but doing so playing for a club perhaps not held in high regard like Real Betis is incredible. Recently linked with Manchester City he is one of the names to watch out for in Spanish football this season.
Ignacio Camacho – Malaga
Among the toing-and-froing at Malaga in the last 18 months they have become undoubtedly a very decent side. While we have all become acquainted with Santi Cazorla one of his former team-mates in Andalusia has really come to the fore. While Isco gains all the headlines over here it is the defensive midfielder who is protecting his back four with brilliant efficiency. Stepping out of the shadow of the side-lined French international Jeremy Toulalan this season he has impressed regularly in La Liga and the Champions League. His future is looking increasingly bright.
Luis Filipe – Atletico Madrid
Much talk surrounds left-backs Jordi Alba and Marcelo in Spain but as an all-round full-back the former Ajax and Deportivo player is potentially better than the pair of them. Integral in Los Colchoneros incredible start to the season and UEFA Europa League triumph of last term his solitary cap for Brazil does not rightfully reflect his incredible talent.
Who else should be considered among the most under-rated players in Spain?
Check out Michael Cerna’s brilliant Under-rated XI for La Liga where four of my five feature in their respective positions….here.
image: © peacecup
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