I have this argument with my dad all the time - hes a danger fan and was a priddis licker - there are players in this league that are net negatives to their clubs whilst amassing a plethora of personal awards.I think that is the biggest difference between that batch of 'Elite midfielders'.
You have the group that play an 'individual' game, and the group that play the 'team' game.
Players such as Fyfe, Dangerfield and now Cripps look flashy, but they can have great games where they don't necessarily impact on the result.
Others such as Martin, Pendlebury and Bontempelli help drag their teams over the line.
Now i'd never say that any of Fyfe, Dangerfield or Cripps are significantly 'overrated', but i'd take the other three over them if picking a team.
Id have a player like dusty / pendles/ bont over all three of the others