10 amazing players who spend more time on the bench than on the field

#7 ISCO, REAL MADRID

Isco did not enjoy the best of seasons last season

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.

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#6 BERNARDO SILVA, MANCHESTER CITY

Bernardo Silva before a Manchester City game

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.

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#5 AARON RAMSEY, JUVENTUS

Aaron Ramsey in Juventus colours

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.

Juventus are open to offers for Aaron Ramsey this summer [Sky] pic.twitter.com/w1WtUxfTPb

— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) August 11, 2020

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.

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#4 GARETH BALE, REAL MADRID

Gareth Bale is not a Real Madrid fan favourite

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.

Remember when Gareth Bale just....🤯🤯🤯#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/oslaoGiyVG

— Goal (@goal) August 23, 2020

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.

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