In brief
The 20 most overrated football players at the moment have been determined by AI.
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford are among those who have been added.
Ousmane Dembele, the current Ballon d’Or favourite, is also included.
Opinions abound in football. Which teams are the best and which are the worst? Which players are the best and worst? Who has the best chance of winning the Premier League the next season? There are a lot of questions, and each person will undoubtedly interpret them differently for a variety of reasons.
The same is true for whether or not a player is thought to be overrated. After all, different people will have different opinions about whether a player is overrated. For this reason, removing human emotion and psychology from the equation can occasionally be fascinating. And we have done precisely that.
In order to determine the top 20 most overrated players in the current game, GIVEMESPORT has sought the aid of Grok AI. One unexpected inclusion was given to a player that many think has a good chance of winning the Ballon d’Or in the future.
20Fabio Carvalho
Brentford
This is what AI said: “Hyped as a Fulham prodigy, Carvalho’s Liverpool stint and move to Brentford haven’t delivered the expected impact, making his early praise seem premature.”
Overrated seems a tad severe for the first entry. Perhaps Fabio Carvalho was simply overhyped after following in the footsteps of Harvey Elliott, who transferred from Fulham to Liverpool as a teenager. And he’s had some good moments, such as his loan time at Hull. However, at Brentford, he has mostly been a rotational player and has struggled to establish himself as a regular.
19Matthijs de Ligt
Manchester United
What AI said: “De Ligt’s £68 million deal to Bayern and subsequent transfer to United sparked high hopes. His 2025 performances have been strong but not world-class, raising questions about his elite classification.”
Matthijs de Ligt feels like he’s been around for a while, but at the age of 25, the Dutchman may not have reached the pinnacle of his career. Despite some teething problems, he is probably still Manchester United’s best central defender, but given that his combined transfer fees have made him one of the most expensive players in the world, criticism is understandable — especially given that he is still a level or two away from being among the absolute best.
18Jadon Sancho
Manchester United
AI’s opinion: “Once a £73 million signing, Sancho’s struggles at United and mixed 2025 loan spell at Chelsea highlight a gap between his potential and actual impact.”
If you needed any more proof that Jadon Sancho has not lived up to expectations, the fact that Chelsea was willing to pay a fine to allow him to return to Manchester United after his loan spell at Stamford Bridge rather than sign him permanently says it all. The winger appears to be heading back abroad, since Ruben Amorim’s plans for the future do not include him.
17Ousmane Dembele
Paris Saint-Germain
What AI said: “Dembele’s talent is undeniable, but his injury history and inconsistent output do not justify his €50 million transfer fee.” His 2025 form is still polarising.”
There is no avoiding the facts here. This one caught the AI off guard. It’s perplexing to call Ousmane Dembele’s 2025 form ‘polarising’ when he’s leading the Ballon d’Or race and was instrumental in PSG’s first Champions League victory. However, previous to his amazing season, there was speculation that he never lived up to the potential that his £100 million+ move to Barcelona as a kid had promised.
16Gianluigi Donnarumma
Paris Saint-Germain
What AI said: “Despite his reputation as a top custodian, Donnarumma’s blunders in 2024/25 have raised concerns. His Euro 2020 hype hasn’t really materialised into consistent elite performances.
Dembele’s PSG teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma, who recently won the Champions League, joins the Frenchman as another surprise inclusion. The Italian has made numerous mistakes, but when he is at his best, like he was in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal, there are few goalkeepers as excellent as him.
15Mason Mount
Manchester United
What AI said: “Mount’s £55 million move has not paid off, with injuries and erratic form in 2025. He was once regarded as Chelsea’s future, but he has struggled to live up to the expectations.
Mason Mount may be Ruben Amorim’s favourite, but two years after going to Old Trafford, it is safe to say he has been a tremendous waste of money. It is not all his fault, and his quality during his best years at Chelsea was apparent. However, the Englishman’s stint at the Theatre of Dreams has been a nightmare, and it has done nothing to improve his reputation.
14Joao Felix
Chelsea
What AI said: “Despite a £113 million move to Atletico Madrid, Felix’s career has been inconsistent. His performances at Chelsea had moments of brilliance, but they lack consistency to match his hype.”
Joao Felix was loaned out to AC Milan just half a season after returning to Chelsea on a permanent basis. Following his debut goal, the Portuguese attacker has continued to provide the same results, making him one of the most disappointing wonderkid developments in recent memory.
13Timo Werner
Tottenham
What AI said: “Once regarded as a lethal forward, Werner’s failure to convert chances at the highest level has endured. His loan experience at Tottenham has not altered the narrative of underperformance.”
At RB Leipzig, Timo Werner appeared to be a goal danger. He has been far away from anything else. Werner is undoubtedly a hard-working attacker, but whether for Chelsea, Tottenham, or Germany, he has never consistently delivered in front of goal. At 29, there isn’t much more possibility left to explore. The inner forward produces exactly what you see.
12Raheem Sterling
Arsenal
What AI said: “Sterling’s excitement as a young winger has subsided. His 2025 performances at Arsenal haven’t matched his previous Manchester City form, and media expectations frequently overshadow his performance.”
Raheem Sterling’s status as one of the top attackers for both club and country has long since faded. Following his terrible loan stay at Arsenal, he has now been regarded as one of Mikel Arteta’s ‘worst ever signings’. Sterling, like Werner, is unlikely to experience a significant change in circumstances, so he will only have recollections of happier times.
11Casemiro
Manchester United
What AI said: “Casemiro, a former world-class midfielder, is losing mobility and positioning in 2025. At 33, he’s a shell of his Real Madrid self, but he still has a strong reputation.”
Despite a minor improvement in the second half of the 2024/25 season, it is apparent that Casemiro’s last truly brilliant season was his first with Manchester United. Since then, the Brazilian has suffered a rapid drop and appears to be struggling to keep up with the pace of England’s top division. He used to be the best holding midfielder in the world, but that is no longer the case.
10Dominik Szoboszlai
Liverpool
What AI said: “Szoboszlai’s £60 million move raised expectations, but his influence has waned.” His technical talent is obvious, but he lacks the game-changing presence anticipated of a headline signing.”
With Ryan Gravenberch’s ascent and the importance of Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai has emerged as the Premier League champions’ weak link in the midfield. With the arrival of Florian Wirtz around the corner, it could lead to some tactical changes from Arne Slot, with the Hungarian taking on a lower position in the squad.
9Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea
AI stated, “The world’s most expensive custodian (£71 million) has never justified his price tag. Inconsistent performance and bad decision-making will continue to harm his reputation in 2025.”
Despite the fact that Kepa Arrizabalaga’s reputation has never recovered from his disastrous term at Chelsea, he has had loan spells at Real Madrid and, most recently, was the starting custodian for a resurgent Bournemouth. Despite his ups and downs, he appears to be on the verge of a low-cost move to Arsenal in the near future.
8Kalvin Phillips
Manchester City
According to AI, Phillips was once England’s midfield hope but struggled at Manchester City and on loan at West Ham. His 2025 loan to Ipswich has not improved his form, making his previous buzz appear exaggerated.”
Within four years of being nicknamed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ at the postponed European Championships in 2021, Kalvin Phillips has never been further away from the England squad. His collapse began with a move to Manchester City, where he never fit into Pep Guardiola’s plans. Loan appearances at West Ham and Ipswich have also not helped him, with his most recent season seeing him described as one of the worst Premier League players of the season.
7Antony
Manchester United
What AI said: “Signed for £86 million, Antony’s talent hasn’t converted into consistent performance. Fans frequently question his usefulness due to his predictable playing style and low goal/assist ratio.
Everything that can be said about Antony’s disastrous tenure at Manchester United has already been written. The Brazilian is one of the club’s worst purchases, with little prospect of returning despite a far more impressive loan spell at Real Betis. It may help the Red Devils return some of their investment, assuming they find a buyer.
6Richarlison
Tottenham
What AI said: “Despite a £60 million move to Tottenham, Richarlison’s finishing remains inconsistent. His work ethic is praised, but his goal output falls short of what is expected of a Brazilian international regarded as a top striker.
At Watford and Everton, Richarlison appeared to be a genuine player. The striker has also spent time as Brazil’s first-choice number nine. However, the 28-year-old’s consistency and fitness have been a major issue in North London, and he has never evolved into the star he originally promised to be.
5Paul Pogba
Juventus
What AI said: “Pogba’s skill is undeniable, but his inconsistent play and attitude concerns have hampered his career. High-profile managers such as Ferguson and Mourinho have criticised his work ethic.”
Paul Pogba, once one of the world’s best and most creative midfielders, now faces an unclear future after missing substantial time due to a doping ban. His time at Juventus is almost done, and with moves to France and the MLS on the table, the World Cup winner is not where anyone expected him to be at this point in his career.
4Alvaro Morata
Galatasaray
What AI said: “Morata had been tipped as Spain’s next great striker, although his career has been erratic. His goal total does not reflect the fanfare surrounding his Real Madrid youth days. His 2025 loan to Galatasaray produced no different results, perpetuating the notion of unfulfilled potential.
Last summer, Alvaro Morata led the line and captained Spain to European Championship victory, earning him yet another high-profile move, this time to AC Milan. Half a season later, he was loaned out to Galatasaray after failing to score goals at the San Siro. He has never been a clinical finisher and is more of a pressing forward than anybody with true number nine ability.
3Jack Grealish
Manchester City
What AI said: “The £100 million transfer fee remains a talking topic, as Grealish’s goal and assist totals do not reflect an elite winger. While he excels at ball retention, his lack of end product disappoints supporters who expect more for his price.
Pep Guardiola signed a maverick from Aston Villa and has plainly battled to shape him into a systematic player in whom he trusts. With each passing day, it appears that Jack Grealish’s Manchester City career is coming to an end – and perhaps leaving will be essential to finding the form that convinced the Sky Blues to part with so much money to get him.
2Marcus Rashford
Manchester United
What AI said: “Once seen as a generational talent, Rashford’s inconsistency and attitude have sparked criticism. His 2023/24 season was underwhelming, and although being only 27, he has struggled to match the hoopla surrounding his debut. Pundits like as Jamie Carragher have questioned his devotion.
Has there ever been a more inconsistent Premier League player than Marcus Rashford? When he is on, he is difficult to stop, as evidenced by his 2022/23 campaign. When he is not on it, he appears indifferent and ineffective, as evidenced by his 2023/24 season. His Manchester United career is coming to an end, despite being projected by Wayne Rooney to become the club’s all-time leading scorer.
1Neymar
Santos
AI stated: “Despite his unquestionable brilliance, Neymar’s career has been limited by injuries and a lack of big championships in comparison to expectations. His €222 million transfer to PSG in 2017 established a standard that he has yet to consistently meet, with only one Champions League trophy and one Confederations Cup for Brazil. His recent seasons have shown a downturn, however he is still regarded as great.”
The AI expressed it best. Neymar was Brazil’s successor to the throne, but whether the crown was too heavy or he was unworthy of it, the winger never wore it. Perhaps his biggest mistake was leaving Barcelona for PSG at the time, as his career deteriorated from there.
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