5 Footballers who refused to be 'just' substitutes

#3 Edin Dzeko

Dzeko has grown into the role of Roma's main man quite nicely.

When Edin Dzeko was brought in from Wolfsburg following the 2011 January transfer window - after the Bosnian had managed to score 85 and assist another 35 for the German side in 142 appearances - he was meant as a foil for City's main talisman at the time, Mario Balotelli.

The former Wolfsburg man never really made a starting spot in the City squad his own despite being provided with plenty of opportunities to partner the Italian upfield from the start. Failing to find the net as regularly as he did back in Germany, the Bosnian became a back-up for Balotelli.

In the following season, Dzeko started on the bench in 21 of the 37 games he was in the squad. And when City decided to bring in their current top-scorer of all time, Sergio Aguero the signs were ominous for the Bosnian who was predicted to spend most of his time at the Etihad, on the bench. The addition of Jovetic and Negredo to the squad signalled to the Bosnian that he would've had to be satisfied playing the substitute role.

But the proficient striker had other ideas.

He was never going to be satisfied playing second fiddle to anyone, let alone to three strikers and he forced his move to AS Roma at the end of the '14/15 season, where he has revelled under the pressure of being their main man up front.

Edin Dzeko: No player has won possession in the attacking third more times than @EdDzeko (21) in Serie A this seasonFull player stats -- https://t.co/N9titcX8G9 pic.twitter.com/fZgBbnsTbr

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) December 20, 2017

Stats like this one will only endear him to the Roma faithful, who appreciate the Bosnian's attributes apart from his ability to find space in the box, and finish with either foot and his head.

You would've thought that Dzeko had a pretty forgettable time in England, but in his time with the Manchester out-fit he has been involved in over a 100 goals in 189 appearances. Not to mention, the first title that City ever won came during his second season with the team.

Yet somehow, the Roma man has managed to find another gear in the Serie A. The former City striker has provided almost the same number of goals and assists he managed with City in just over a 120 games.

Edin Dzeko is a man who was never going to be satisfied being a substitute and his performances with Roma only further his claim.