Every side has one, at every level. That one player who contributes so much more than is generally recognised and barely gets any plaudits outside of their own dressing room. But who is that man for each of the 2017/18 Premier League clubs? Here is an idea of who that man may be for your respective teams.
Arsenal - Nacho Monreal
Nobody's favourite defender, and often the first man Arsenal fans want to be dropped after one their regular away hammerings to big opposition, but Monreal is a better player than his reputation suggests. Can play on the left or in the middle, and has filled in as best as could be asked for on the left side of a back three.
Still has many weaknesses, and is probably too small to be a successful centre-back, but deserves more credit than he gets and many Arsenal fans appreciate his work rate and attitude.
Bournemouth - Andrew Surman
Solid start to the season. Has slipped under the radar almost throughout his entire career, but he has an excellent work rate and is a talented ball-player. Keeps play ticking over and capable of scoring the odd goal: he has two this season already. His good form is limiting opportunities for Fraser, Stanislas and Ibe at present and he has found a level that suits him. Probably not quite good enough to go any higher than he has.
Brighton & Hove Albion - Dale Stephens
While the likes of Gross and Murray have taken the headlines, Stephens has been quietly effective in starting all of Brighton's games so far and has been key in their good start to the season.
More than just a midfield spoiler - although it is a role he excels at - Brighton will need him to stay fit if they are to avoid the drop in their first season in the Premier League.
Burnley - Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson
A very tidy player. Capable of playing on the right side of midfield or defence, Gudmundsson's greatest attribute is his crossing, vital in a team that fields Chris Wood and Sam Vokes up front.
Strong in the tackle, good on the ball and adaptable, he is a favourite at Burnley and although not always a regular starter, Sean Dyche will need him around the turn of the year when the fixtures begin to pile up.
Chelsea - Gary Cahill
Unloved outside of Stamford Bridge - in part due to some underwhelming performances for England - Cahill remains adored and valued by the Blues faithful.
He has a big heart, always puts his body on the line for the team and last season put to bed doubts that he could not perform without John Terry beside him. Better on the ball than people think, too. Has grown into a leadership role and Chelsea do not look as secure when he is absent.
Crystal Palace - James McArthur
Hard to find a player that fits the bill in such a broken squad, but McArthur is the closest. Palace fans will argue that Scott Dann is criminally under-valued outside of Selhurst Park, but mistakes this season have taken a toll on his reputation. McArthur is never going to steal any headlines, but he puts in a shift and pops up with the occasional goal as well. Along with Luka Milivojevic, he allows Wilfred Zaha the freedom to threaten the opposition defence.
Everton - Wayne Rooney
Strange to say about a man with such a worldwide reputation as Rooney. 202 Premier League goals, Manchester United and England's all-time top goalscorer and winner of every club competition available, yet the feeling still persists that Rooney is appreciated far more abroad than he is in England. Many expected him to falter at Everton, and his tally of five goals in all competitions this season is about as many as a lot of people thought he'd have come May. Still, as always, a better player than the average English punter believes him to be.
Huddersfield Town - Jonas Lossl
Huddersfield has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign and a large part of this has been down to their defensive solidity.
While it is true that Lossl has been well protected by his defenders, and has by no means had a flawless start to the season, he has been largely impressive and in a side struggling for goals his form will be vital in the battle for survival.
Leicester City - Marc Albrighton
With an appreciative nod to Christian Fuchs. As in Leicester's title-winning season, Albrighton's diligence and incredible work ethic allow Riyad Mahrez the freedom to roam on the opposite flank. Claude Puel has recently used him as a number 10 to accommodate Demarai Gray, and the initial signs are that this is a role he can flourish in. Jamie Vardy, certainly, will benefit from the work Albrighton can do behind him. Seems more and more amazing that a dreadful Aston Villa team were willing to let him leave.
Liverpool - Jordan Henderson
Like Gary Cahill, another Englishman unloved outside of his home stadium. Henderson is, unfortunately, not a natural fit for Gareth Southgate's new England side and should not be a starter for the national team, but for Liverpool, the importance of his role can often go unnoticed. He is the link between defence and their exciting forward line, capable of retaining possession under pressure or launching incisive 60-yard passes to kick off a counter attack. Henderson gives Liverpool a balance that nobody else in their squad can provide, and continues to be a key player for Jurgen Klopp. They need him fit if they are to compete for trophies.
Manchester City - Nicolas Otamendi
Among all the many achievements of Pep Guardiola's exceptional career thus far, perhaps the greatest of all is turning the previously-reckless Argentine into a Premier League-standard defender. That is an exaggeration, obviously, but even so Otamendi's improvement this year has, like that of John Stones, gone some way towards their excellent start to the season. A previously flaky defence now has a more secure look at it, and for the first time in his City career, Vincent Kompany has not been missed. The feeling still persists that Otamendi needs a commanding leader alongside him to keep his rash instincts in check, but if Stones and/or Kompany stay fit there is no reason his good form cannot continue.
Manchester United - Antonio Valencia
Arguably the Premier League's best right back. It is not an area of great strength across the country, but while Walker and Bellerin earn plaudits for their ability to get up and down the pitch, in terms of pure defending Valencia might well be superior to both. Solid, a good leader and gives confidence to those in front of him. One wonders who José Mourinho would turn to if he were to suffer a long-term injury.
Newcastle United - Matt Ritchie
Earned huge plaudits for his role in Newcastle's promotion push last season, he has slipped under the radar a little this campaign and has not yet got himself on the scoresheet. His delivery into the box, both from open play and dead ball situations, is outstanding and makes Aleksander Mitrovic's continued omission all the more baffling.
Has slightly underwhelmed thus far, but Newcastle's goal worries will ease considerably once he hits full flow. Supremely talented and strange that Bournemouth let him go.
Southampton - Steven Davis
The man who holds Southampton together. Lemina and Romeu earn more praise for their holding roles, and much attention has been focused on their goal-shy attack, but Davis is vital to Southampton and has added more threat to his game in the final third. He is closing in on 300 Premier League appearances and may quite possibly be the most unnoticed player ever to reach the landmark. Only Gabbiadini has scored more than him for Saints this season.
Stoke City - Joe Allen
While it is true that the 'Welsh Pirlo' falls into the category of those who perform better for their country than their club, Allen is still an important player for Stoke and provides a good mix of creativity and defensive work rate.
His six goals were one of the surprise returns of last season, but his reputation is still marred by a disappointing spell at Liverpool. Only 27, he has years ahead to change perceptions of him and is well on the way to doing just that.
Swansea City - Sam Clucas
Toss up between Clucas and his midfield partner Leroy Fer. Both are vital to Swansea and if those two don't play well, Swansea doesn't score. They are the heartbeat of the team and the main source of service to the front line, and following the sale of Gylfi Sigurdsson, they need to up their game this season. Clucas, in particular, has to add more goals and it is difficult to see how Swansea can survive without these two excelling themselves.
Tottenham Hotspur - Mousa Dembele
Over the course of last season, Dembele began to receive credit for the work he does but his absence through injury for a large part of this season so far has only served to re-enforce his importance to his team. It is no coincidence that Dele Alli's form has slipped without Dembele alongside him, as the Belgian's strong, powerful runs from deep draw defenders towards him and create the space that Alli is so adept at taking advantage of. Like Nemanja Matic, Dembele's upper-body strength makes him incredibly difficult to dispossess which can vital for turning defence into an attack at pace. Dier and Wanyama are decent players, but just do not offer the all-round package Dembele does and rumours of his wanting out next summer should worry Spurs fans.
Watford - Étienne Capoue
Impressed last season with seven league goals, but the arrival of Nathaniel Chalobah and the outstanding form of Abdoulaye Doucouré have taken the spotlight away from the former Spurs midfielder somewhat. Capoue has only started three league games this season, but as the season wears on he will become increasingly important for Marco Silva and makes for a useful option should Watford need to pack the centre of the park against the big sides. His fitness has improved markedly since his Tottenham days.
West Bromwich Albion - Jay Rodriguez
Sadly looks as though he will never be the player he was at Southampton when injury denied him a World Cup spot in 2014, but Rodriguez still has value to West Brom. Seems to have lost the goalscoring touch of his pre-injury days, but works as hard as ever and he is a beautiful player to watch in full flow. Lovely technique, capable of Morata-like flicks and turns, and allows West Brom to defend from the front. It is entirely possible his future lies on the wing given that the goals have dried up, but no matter how his career pans out it is nice simply to see him back again.
West Ham United - James Collins
Now 34, the man known as the 'Ginger Pele' by Hammers fans is no longer good enough to command a regular place (only three starts this season) but his experience and good footballing brain will be important in helping David Moyes rescue West Ham from the mire. He will not play much, and is about as quick and mobile as a rusty bathtub, but is reliable enough when he does and good in the air. Off the field, however, he could become West Ham's player of the season. Has a role to play as a kind of secondary assistant manager to Moyes, who will bank on his wisdom and leadership skills to galvanise the squad.
