Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have named their picks for the most underrated player in Premier League history, with the retired defenders both opting for underappreciated stars from their respective clubs, Liverpool and Manchester United. Indeed, both powerhouse sides have had their fair share of world-class talent over the years.
But picking out the players from those star-studded squads – teams that hoovered up honours including multiple league titles and Champions League crowns – who quietly did the dirty work and played the role of the unsung hero is no easy task. Every great side has its headline acts: the big personalities who forced their way into conversations about the greatest players in Premier League history, not only through memorable displays, but also because they relished the spotlight and talked a big game.
The question was put to the Sky Sports’ punditry power duo during a recent segment on the Overlap podcast. It’s the kind of debate that usually throws up names like Michael Carrick, Jordan Henderson and Park Ji-Sung, but all three were overlooked by Carragher and Neville.
The Premier League has seen an abundance of extremely talented players, but who makes the cut?
Jamie Carragher’s Pick for ‘Most Underrated Player in PL History’
Carragher found the question so difficult that he initially ended up picking himself. After gathering his thoughts – and with a little inspiration from someone behind the camera who suggested Roberto Firmino – the 2005 Champions League winner eventually settled on Danny Murphy, a player he lined up alongside 212 times for both Liverpool and England.
Murphy joined the Reds in 1997 for an initial £1.5m fee, which was no small change at the time. He went on to make 170 appearances for the Merseyside club before moving to Charlton Athletic in 2004. The now 49-year-old later had spells with Tottenham, Fulham and Blackburn Rovers before hanging up his boots in 2013.
Danny Murphy-Liverpool -stock Pre-Season 98/99 Pic:Stuart Franklin/Action Images
As good as Murphy was in his prime, he was arguably a victim of being in the right place at the wrong time. His years at Liverpool coincided with an era stacked to the rafters with elite midfielders, including Steven Gerrard. Though he didn’t retire until he had lifted a Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, an FA Cup and two League Cups.
It was much the same story on the international stage. Murphy earned just nine caps for England national team, with the likes of the aforementioned Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes standing in his way for a regular spot in the Three Lions setup.
Steven Gerrard, John Barnes, and Virgil van Dijk all feature on Carragher’s list of 10 greatest ever Liverpool players.
Neville’s Pick is a Man United Legend
The main difference between Carragher and Neville’s picks is that the latter went for a much more decorated player, and whose trophy cabinet is deserving of someone who should be rolling in constant praise. Certainly, Murphy deserves his flowers, but it’s even more surprising that Denis Irwin has gone so under the radar in recent years.
The Cork-born defender, despite adding seven Premier League titles to his name with Man United, was never put on the same pedestal as his fellow teammates – and that’s a terrible shame given how talented and dedicated he was. On Irwin, Neville said (watch the full Overlap segment below):
“Denis Irwin, 100%. [He is] the best full-back in Premier League history. Denis Irwin.”
What made the roaring full-back that extra special was his incredible consistency. Between 1990 and 2002, he notched in excess of 500 appearances for the Red Devils on either side of the back line and curled in free-kicks like they were going out of fashion.
Denis Irwin – Manchester United
A consummate professional of the highest order, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man was not only versatile, but his leadership qualities, both on and off the pitch, were key reasons as to why he was such a trusty servant for managers throughout his trophy-laden career.
In 328 English topflight appearances, he kept a staggering 123 clean sheets. Away from the Premier League, he also lifted a Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups, and a League Cup, taking his total tally to 19 honours across his playing career.
There’s a Mexican standoff heading into the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, as Liga MX rivals Toluca and Tigres clash in a match of epic proportions.
Toluca will play host to the contest in search of a third Champions Cup title, previously winning the competition in 1968 and 2003, while they made the final as recently as the 2013/14 season.
As for their opponents, Tigres, the club are looking to lift the trophy for a second time, having won it for the first time back in 2020 after three final appearances in four years without success.
Both sides saw off Major League Soccer (MLS) opposition to make it all the way to the final, but only one will be able to win the Champions Cup and declare themselves as the 2026 winners.
Toluca vs Tigres TV Channels & Streams
Date: May 30, 2026
Kick-off Time: 8pm ET (6pm local)
The CONCACAF Champions Cup final will be taking place on May 30 in Mexico, while in Europe it will be broadcast live in the early hours of May 31, due to time difference. The game is scheduled to kick off at 8pm ET (6pm local time).
You can see a list of TV broadcasters and streams below.
Toluca come into the Champions Cup final as slight favourites, having secured a home advantage for the match against Tigres, in an attempt to seal a third title.
Both clubs made it to the quarter-finals of the Clausura in Liga MX, with the former knocked out by Pachuca over two legs earlier this month, while the latter missed out to Chivas.
Tigres come into the tie with some better form, winning four of their last five across all competitions, compared to the home side’s two wins in five.
Recent head-to-head history has the two teams evenly matched, with two wins each across the last five meetings, with one draw thrown into the mix in the most recent encounter back in January this year.
Toluca vs Tigres Highlights
Highlights for the Champions Cup clash between Toluca and Tigres are available after the match on the official CONCACAF YouTube channel.
This is set to include key highlights, as well as the full livestream to watch all the match all over again, in case you missed all of the action live.
Paul Scholes claimed England have no chance of winning the 2026 World Cup without three players.
England are among the favourites to go all the way in North America for this summer’s World Cup. Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane are tasked with leading England’s charge as the Three Lions are aiming to win their first World Cup since 1966.
They face old Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, having qualified for the World Cup in dominant fashion, winning each of their eight qualifiers.
Tuchel announced his 26-man squad last week, naming the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham. Rogers has emerged as a key player under Tuchel, having excelled in the No.10 position in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Aston Villa star, who helped his side win the Europa League and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, has been tipped to start at the World Cup ahead of the Real Madrid man.
But Scholes has backed Bellingham and believes he should be in the starting XI when England open their campaign on June 17.
That’s judging by his comments in October after Bellingham was left out of the England squad for their game against Latvia last year. Scholes also couldn’t believe Phil Foden and Jack Grealish weren’t in Tuchel’s squad last October, with both players failing to make the German boss’ World Cup squad.
“I was a little bit surprised. Those three players, they have to be in his squad and they will be in his squad for the World Cup,” Scholes said on The Overlap.
“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with those three players, it’s still a big ask, but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup.
“Jude Bellingham has missed a little bit of football, but he’s fit now so I would have brought him back in. Thomas Tuchel hasn’t got many games left now until the World Cup actually starts. It’s only the November break and then the March one and then we’re there so we need to get these players playing.”
A lot has happened since October, with Bellingham the only one of the three to make England’s World Cup squad.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham
After missing England’s 5-0 victory over Latvia, Bellingham returned to the fold as a substitute against Serbia before returning to the starting XI in their 2-0 win over Albania.
The 22-year-old went on to make 40 appearances across all competitions for Real, who endured an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign after failing to win a single piece of silverware.
He has scored eight goals this season and made Tuchel’s squad, but whether he starts remains one of the big talking points about the team.
Jack Grealish
Grealish almost forced his way back into the England reckoning following his performances for Everton after joining the club on loan from Manchester City this season.
Despite his stellar outings for Everton, he was omitted from Tuchel’s squad in October, which included a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier versus Latvia.
But his chances of making Tuchel’s World Cup squad were dashed after he suffered a season-ending injury in January. He suffered a foot injury that required surgery, ruling him out of this summer’s tournament.
Phil Foden
Foden was in Tuchel’s party for England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March, playing in both games, and featured in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, the 26-year-old was overlooked for the World Cup after suffering a dip in form at Manchester City, where he fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola.
He played a bit part role in the business end of the season, with Tuchel opting to leave him at home. Foden was one of the biggest names to be left out of England’s World Cup squad.
The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea star was pulled over by police after colliding with motorway barriers. Sterling, currently a Feyenoord player, was travelling on the M3 when he was pulled over by the police.
Police Release a Statement Over Raheem Sterling Arrest
Sterling was taken in on suspicion of drug-driving after receiving a report of his car hitting the barriers. According to the police statement, the footballer was also arrested for dangerous driving and possession of Class C drugs, while failing to provide a sample. The Hampshire Police said:
“Just before 9am on Thursday, we received reports of that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange.
“The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of Class C drug and failing to provide a specimen. He has been bailed while our enquiries continue.”
