Every League’s Unsung Hero This Season

Now that we are hanging down the curtain to yet another jam-packed season in English football, it’s time to credit some of the highest performers throughout the top four divisions.

Amidst the season’s greats, there have been some players who have severely gone under the radar for their efforts in 2024/25, not necessarily receiving the applause which they have justified. Here are a few of them…

Premier League – Jacob Murphy

Jacob Murphy has aged like a fine wine in a Newcastle United shirt. When he signed for the Magpies back in 2017, he was not necessarily the club’s most appealing player to start on the right-hand side, which saw the winger sent on two loan spells to West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship. As Murphy’s time progressed in the North East, he carried on being a rotational player – starting on the bench more often than the pitch.

📝| Jacob Murphy has signed a season-long loan with Sheffield Wednesday. The Newcastle youngster will be Wednesday 6th signing. Expect tons of pace from this lad

[via @SkySports_Keith] #SWFC pic.twitter.com/XwZOMTZe2P

— Owls Football (@OwlsFooty) August 8, 2019

Then came these past two seasons, where Jacob Murphy has considerably kicked on at Newcastle by vastly improving his numbers in the Premier League. This season in particular, the 30-year-old has produced eight goals and 11 assists in the top tier, becoming a key asset to Newcastle. Furthermore, the London-born man was part of Newcastle’s EFL Cup winning team, grabbing an assist on the day to help the Magpies win their first trophy in 70 years.

Due to the monumental season Alexander Isak is having in the black and white stripes, a lot of Jacob Murphy’s work goes unnoticed. Yet Isak has scored a fair few goals this season poached from the end of Jacob Murphy’s crosses. The sheer instincts Murphy possesses to drive the ball into dangerous areas, creating chances, is unmatched and deserves more attention.

(Jacob Murphy Chances Created (PL 24/25): by Opta)

EFL Championship – Joe Rodon

I do not think a single Leeds United player has gone uncredited for their stellar title-winning season. However, a player that has not stolen as many headlines than the rest is Joe Rodon.

The mammoth centre-back has started all 46 league games for Leeds this season, only missing out on four minutes of football. Although the Welshman has not grabbed many of the scoring plaudits with his one goal contribution, his composure and solidity at the back has helped Leeds to a staggering 25 clean sheets this season. On top of Rodon’s excellence in defending, his passing statistics are phenomenal. The 27-year-old has completed 3,455 passes this season with his 92% passing accuracy, which is the highest number amongst any other Championship player - by a landslide.

(Joe Rodon Championship Pass Map and Stats 24/25: by Opta)

Having only just approached his late twenties; Rodon is coming into his own in West Yorkshire. Despite never really getting the opportunity in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur during his three-year stint, it will be really interesting to see how the defender copes with Leeds United’s step up next term.

EFL League One – Lewis Wing

Reading were extremely unfortunate to miss out on a playoff position this season. Finishing seventh, just three points away is still a credible achievement nevertheless – especially when accounting for their unpleasant circumstances off the pitch. One thing that should not be outspoken from Reading’s season is the all-round performance of Lewis Wing. The midfielder has built up years’ worth of experience in this division yet continues to fly below everyone’s focus.

Lewis Wing has scored a total of 8 league goals this season from an xG of 3.85 making him the third highest over performer in League One this season. ⚽️

Bangers only 🚀#readingfc pic.twitter.com/cm7GEnXgP1

— Royals Review Podcast (@RoyalsReviewPod) April 28, 2025

In his last three seasons, Wing has racked up a total of 28 goals and 19 assists in League One – all from central midfield. This term in particular, the 29-year-old has found the net nine times with an addition of six assists in Reading’s pursuit of a Championship return.

Adjoining Lewis Wing’s consistent goal contributions, his defensive prowess epitomises the idea of a ‘box-to-box’ midfielder. This campaign, he has some of the best defensive statistics in the division, with 111 tackles won, 48 interceptions, 112 clearances and 60% of his aerial duels won. Absolutely exceptional from someone who offers so much going forward as well. Despite his continuous brilliance, Wing was unable to make the EFL League One Team of the Season, which is criminal considering the season he has had. Nobody knows what next season will have in store for the midfielder, as Reading remain in League One and fight ownership troubles.

(League One Defensive Stats 24/25: by Opta)

EFL League Two – George Abbott

Notts County embark on their playoff semi-final against AFC Wimbledon with a plethora of quality running through their squad. One player who has struggled to put a foot wrong for County is 19-year-old George Abbot, who continues to impress at such a young age.

This season, Abbot has arrived in Nottinghamshire on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and it is fair to say the Magpies do not want him to leave. Scoring five goals and collecting six assists this season has been a huge achievement for Abbott in his breakthrough year, as the midfielder looks destined to reach the top.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🥇 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | George Abbott (19) has won the Goal of the Season in the English Football League with this top strike. 😍🚀 pic.twitter.com/Pg6BtPG3bW

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) April 28, 2025

With players such as Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick often in the Notts County spotlight, some of George Abbott’s overall midfield work does not get credited. The loanee works vigorously for the ball, in all areas of the pitch, and is incredibly versatile for County. Moreover, the midfielder is ranked ninth out of any league two player on tackles (100), and fourth on interceptions (64), setting up a bright future ahead of him.