Bruno Fernandes crowns a controversial Premier League overrated XI

Bruno Fernandes has unveiled his own Premier League overrated XI, naming Bukayo Saka, Micky van de Ven, himself, Phil Foden and Adam Wharton as the five players he believes are praised beyond their true quality in the current season, despite mixed performances for their clubs.

What “overrated” really means

The Cambridge dictionary defines “overrated” as an adjective describing a person, place or thing that is considered better, more valuable or more important than they actually are. It reflects a subjective opinion that public praise or popularity exceeds true quality.

Goalkeeper Emi Martinez (Chelsea) was hailed as a major coup when he joined the Blues, seen as an upgrade on former No 1 Robert Sánchez. Yet Martinez has been error‑prone, conceding several suspect goals for Chelsea.

Defensive selections under scrutiny

Right‑back Tino Livramento (Newcastle United) is limited offensively and performs better on the left, despite rumours of a £50 million interest from Manchester City and Arsenal. His defensive work‑rate is decent, but he leaves fans wanting more on the right flank.

Centre‑back Levi Colwill (Chelsea) returned from an ACL injury last July but still shows a lack of defensive awareness and limited pace. Supporters remain unconvinced that he matches the high expectations placed on him.

Centre‑back Micky van de Ven (Tottenham) is described as the most overrated player in the world, relying on blistering pace that masks defensive shortcomings. He captains a Tottenham side that underperforms, and his speed alone cannot compensate for the team’s broader issues.

Midfield and forward doubts

Left‑back Antonee Robinson (Fulham) was once underrated and may now be slightly overrated, leaving the position the hardest to justify in the XI. His recent form offers little clarity on his true standing.

Defensive midfielder Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), only 20, is praised for talent but lacks a clear positional identity, with opinions split on whether he is defensive, attacking or box‑to‑box.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) is tidy but far from a Toni Kroos, failing to break into the England squad ahead of established midfielders. Despite rumours of big‑money interest from Manchester United and Chelsea, he has yet to prove his worth.

Right‑winger Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) has lost the pace and explosiveness that once set him apart, prompting criticism of manager Mikel Arteta’s handling of the player. Fernandes describes it as “very, very sad” to see such a special talent run into the ground.