The Bench XI - The world's best who aren't able to get a game

In the ruthless world of club football, reputations do not count for much, as players, regardless of how famous and experienced, earn one of the 11 coveted starting spots for their clubs based on recent performances and form.

In the process, there have been many big names thrown by the wayside, as managers, unconvinced of their ability to perform on a regular basis, have chosen to bench them and risk a backlash over playing them without any results.

Here is a team made of players who you would think would walk into almost any team in the world, but cannot buy a place on theirs.

GK – Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

2012 – Part of the UEFA Team of the Year.

2013 – Benchwarmer and second-choice behind a keeper who got relegated from La Liga in 2012.

This is the state of affairs for one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, who despite being 32 years of age, which many suggest is a custodian’s prime, is unable to find a game in goal for lifelong club Real Madrid.

Many thought that Casillas’ spat with Jose Mourinho was the sole reason for his absence from the starting XI last season, but Carlo Ancelotti has stuck with Diego Lopez as the club’s first-choice keeper this time as well, leading Spain’s number one to contemplate a move away from the club.

CB – Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)

Despite still being the club captain at Arsenal, Thomas Vermaelen has made only one appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, and that too from the bench.

From a much-hyped £10 million signing in 2009 and a PFA Team of the Year inductee the following year to a player not required by the Gunners, Vermaelen has seen a drastic dip in form, one that could affect his chances of playing regularly for the Belgian team at the World Cup next year.

CB – Alex Song (Barcelona)

It was a brave move for Song to leave Arsenal, where he was the midfield general, and go to a team that was brimming with the best midfielders in the world. That gamble, it seems, has not paid off, as Song has spent more times in the confines of the bench than on the field, unable to break through the monopoly that Barca’s regulars enjoy.

Song has been linked with a move away from the club, and could be forced to switch clubs again in order to gain more first-team football.

Though he is a defensive midfielder, he has been pushed to a centre-half role to fit this team.

LB – Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid)

Signed by Real Madrid for £26 million in 2011, Fabio Coentrao was earmarked as a replacement for Brazilian fullback Marcelo, who had in the recent years shown the propensity to make costly errors at the back.

However, the signing of the Portuguese wingback seemed to be the wake-up call Marcelo needed, who since has improved by leaps and bounds, nailing down the left-back berth at the Spanish capital.

Coentrao, on the other hand, is seen as surplus to requirements at the club, and was even going to be sent out on loan on transfer deadline day, only for time to run out before a deal could be completed.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Highly-rated 24-year old Cesar Azpilicueta joined Chelsea from Marseille last year, and by the end of the season was played regularly by Rafael Benitez, mixing his great pace and attacking ability with a stability at the back as well.

However, Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge has spelt trouble for the Spain international’s chances with the Europa League holders, with Azpilicueta making only 2 league appearances to date.

CM – Jack Rodwell (Manchester City)

While in his teens, Jack Rodwell was already being talked about as one of England’s most impressive young talents, with the midfielder commanding a regular first-team berth in the 2011-12 season for the Toffees.

However, his development saw a major slump following a £15 million move to Manchester City, where he has hardly featured over the last season and a half. With more experienced players among City’s ranks, the 22-year old has hardly got a game for the title contenders, and it is left to be seen how long he waits before demanding a move away from the club.

CM – Michael Essien (Chelsea)

During Jose Mourinho’s previous tenure at Chelsea manager, Essien was the bedrock in the Blues’ midfield, and was key in the club’s successful twin Premier League titles. However, he has fallen out of favour at the club in recent years, and despite working with Mourinho while on loan at Real Madrid last season, has not been able to convince the Portuguese manager to hand him a regular place in his squad.

Only 30 years of age, Essien still has a few years of football left in him, but was left out of Chelsea’s Premier League registration squad this time around, meaning that he will hardly feature in a blue shirt this term.

LM – Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)

A superstar at Borussia Dortmund, Shinji Kagawa’s capture was seen as a major coup for Manchester United last season, as the Japanese playmaker chose the Red Devils over lots of other suitors looking to lay claim to his signature.

However, his career has thereafter seen a downward spiral, with Kagawa now struggling to make the matchday squad at times under David Moyes.

Manchester United’s inability to play a formation suited to him, or even offer him a spot in his favoured position, has affected his chances at the club, with many predicting an exit from Old Trafford for the talented midfielder.

RM – Javi Garcia (Manchester City)

Another one of City’s failed transfers last term, Garcia was picked up from Benfica for a fee of £16 million by Roberto Mancini in the hope of finding the ideal foil for Yaya Toure in the Citizens’ midfield. However, the Spaniard was played in multiple positions through the course of the season to little success, and hardly featured for the team in the final few months.

A managerial change has done no good to his chances either, as Garcia has made limited appearances for the side to date, struggling to nail down that first team berth that was expected of him following his arrival.

FW – Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)

Despite owning an impressive games-per-goal record at Manchester United, Hernandez has often found himself as the fourth-choice option upfront for the Premier League holders, and has not been given a fair chance to hold down a starting berth for himself.

With Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the team, his chances , with the player even admitting that a move away could be in the pipeline if he continues to spend more time on the sidelines than on the field.

FW – Emmanuel Adebayor (Tottenham Hotspur)

After a successful loan spell with Tottenham Hotspur in 2011-12, Adebayor was signed on by the North London club to a permanent contract last season, only to see his form dip thereafter and his name slide in the side’s pecking order.

Despite showing some great late season form last time around, Adebayor has not featured yet for the Spurs this season, and until recently was even made to train with the development squad. Another transfer could be in the offing for the journeyman who has already played for Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid in the past.

So this is how the team finally looks: