Everton manager David Moyes has claimed that Leon Osman's true ability is only just starting to be noticed.
Osman has played in every single one of Everton's 18 Premier League games so far this season, earning an England debut with his performances.
However, Moyes believes that Osman has always had that quality, and that people are only just starting to recognise it.
"He has been very underestimated over the years but now he is not," said Moyes.
"He has recently been selected for England and some of his performances have been terrific. He has taken on a lot of leadership jobs now, he is a good lad around the place and is a big part of the team and a big part of how we want to play.
"It was great he moved out of position on Saturday and was terrific and arguably he has been one of our best players of the season."
Osman joined the Toffees in 2004, making 322 appearances and scoring 45 goals for the club in that time.