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Due to the demands of modern football, clubs these days like to have the requisite strength and depth required to tackle multiple competitions and the rigorous schedule of about 60 games a season.
Managers of top clubs, especially, like to have players of a certain quality on the bench to rotate with the first-team players and replace them if they are injured. Such players might be regular starters for a slightly less ambitious and modest clubs, but tend to be on the bench for the majority of the season at the richer ones.
It is hard to convince a player to sit on the bench and offer him limited football, as players want to play as much as they can. If they are unable to oust the starting players from their position, such players try and leave the club if possible.
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We look at 10 amazing players who spend more time on the bench than on the field.
#10 XHERDAN SHAQIRI, LIVERPOOL
When Xherdan Shaqiri joined Liverpool from relegated Stoke City for €15 million in 2018, it was seen as a shrewd acquisition.
A tricky, physical forward with good creativity and an eye for goal, the Switzerland international was viewed as the ideal candidate to complement the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Shaqiri had a good start to his Liverpool career as well, scoring a brace against Manchester United among other good performances.
However, the 28-year old has slowly slipped into the shadows. Shaqiri only made seven Premier League appearances last season, out of which only two were starts. The arrival of Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg looks to have further dented his playing chances, and Shaqiri looks set to leave this summer.
#9 JUAN MATA, MANCHESTER UNITED
While Juan Mata might not play every game for a top club anymore, there is no denying that he can still contribute meaningfully if given the chance.
A David Moyes signing, Mata cost Manchester United €45 million in 2014, and the attacking midfielder was at his creative best as he was a consistent presence under Louis van Gaal and later Jose Mourinho. A technically gifted player, the 32-year old's professional personality has often been appreciated.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival seems to have changed the equation though. Younger and more dynamic players have been preferred to the Spain international, who made 20 appearances last season in the Premier League; 11 were off the bench.
#8 MESUT OZIL, ARSENAL
The highest earner at Arsenal, Mesut Ozil did not play even 50% of the league games last season.
The Germany international has been a source of debate among fans and neutrals for some time now. Arguably the greatest playmaker of his generation, Ozil's decline at Arsenal has not been well-received; especially in relation to his enormous wages.
The 31-year old made just 18 appearances in the Premier League last season, riding the bench on multiple occasions. With the emergence of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, Ozil's chances seem extremely limited at Arsenal.
Also Read: 5 reasons why leaving Barcelona could be the right decision for Lionel Messi
#7 ISCO, REAL MADRID
A favourite of the transfer rumour mill, Isco is linked with a move away from Real Madrid every transfer window, only for him to stay.
A product of Valencia's academy, Isco joined Real Madrid from Malaga in 2013 for €30 million, and has enjoyed some good moments with the club. A highly gifted attacking midfielder with excellent creativity and dribbling ability, the 28-year old has found game time hard to come by in recent years.
Last season, the Spain international made 23 La Liga appearances, out of which 15 were starts. A combination of injuries and lack of preference from Zinedine Zidane has seen Isco linked with Manchester City and Chelsea.
#6 BERNARDO SILVA, MANCHESTER CITY
Regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League, Manchester City's strength and depth means that Bernardo Silva has been in and out of the starting XI.
A €50 million acquisition from AS Monaco, Silva has been utilised as a midfielder by Pep Guardiola; having played predominantly as a winger at Monaco. The Portugal international is renowned for his work-ethic and quality on the ball, and was the Manchester City Player of the Year for the 2018-19 season.
Silva was vital last season for Pep Guardiola, making 34 appearances (out of which 23 were starts) in the Premier League in a variety of midfield and attacking positions. The 26-year has been linked with Barcelona in recent weeks.
#5 AARON RAMSEY, JUVENTUS
Aaron Ramsey's emotional farewell at Arsenal and subsequent arrival at Juventus last summer signaled the end of an era.
A season later, the Wales international has been linked with a return to Arsenal, as well as moves to Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. A dynamic midfielder with a keen eye for goal, it would be fair to say that Ramsey failed to have a successful first season in Italy.
The arrival of Andrea Pirlo as new coach complicates matters, and it has been rumoured that the 29-year old is not a certainty to stay at Juventus next season. The midfielder made just 24 appearances in Serie A last season, and only 11 of those were starts.
#4 GARETH BALE, REAL MADRID
Gareth Bale's Real Madrid career will not just be remembered for his performances during his initial years at the club, but his actions in later years.
The 31-year old joined Los Blancos from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for €100 million, a world-record transfer fee at that time. Bale's pace and physicality on the wings helped Real Madrid win the Champions League multiple times, and have success in the league as well.
In recent years though, Bale's popularity among fans has waned. The Wales international does not enjoy a good relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane, and his frequent antics on the bench have not helped his cause either.
Also Read: Ranking the 10 best UEFA Champions League players this season (2019-20)
#3 JAMES RODRIGUEZ, REAL MADRID
The third and final Real Madrid player on this list, James Rodriguez is the closest to leaving Real Madrid this summer out of the three.
Rodriguez enjoyed a phenomenal World Cup campaign in 2014, following which he moved to Real Madrid for €76 million. The Colombia international had a successful first season at the club under Carlo Ancelotti, but found his importance fading away as the seasons went by.
A two-year loan move to Bayern Munich followed, at the end of which he returned to Real Madrid. The 29-year old looks set to rejoin Ancelotti at Everton, having only made eight La Liga appearances last season.
#2 CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN, INTER MILAN
Christian Eriksen's insistence on leaving Tottenham Hotspur last season resulted in a €20 million move to Inter Milan in January.
The Denmark international has not been at his very best since joining Antonio Conte's side. Eriksen has often struggled to start games, with rumours that Conte has not been happy with the midfielder's performances when given a chance.
A highly creative player, the 28-year old made just eight starts for the Italian giants in the league, with a further nine coming off the bench. He has been linked with a move away from the club.
#1 TANGUY NDOMBELE, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
One of Ligue 1's best midfielders in his last season with Lyon, Tottenham Hotspur looked to have achieved a coup when they signed Tanguy Ndombele.
A goal on his debut was just the start he needed, but things have not looked positive since then. The departure of Mauricio Pochettino and arrival of Jose Mourinho as the new manager has resulted in the France international being ostracized, with Mourinho publicly criticising the performances of the midfielder.
The 23-year old is said to be looking to leave this summer, with Barcelona and Inter Milan among the interested parties.
Also Read: Top 10 players with most goals in a single Champions League season
