'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
There are several other names that come to our mind when we talk about bench warmers for this season. But on the basis of talent and form these are our top 10.
The top 10 players have mainly been selected on the basis of their talent, but consideration has also been given to their current form and the duration of injuries they had, if any.
Trending
The Barcelona star is surely one of the most talented wingers in football. After a great season with the club in 2010-11, everyone expected to see much more of him this season. But what they saw, instead, was Pedro waiting for his turn on the bench. With the inclusion of Alexis Sanchez in the team and youth players like Cuenca and Tello, competition for a spot in the team has increased. Also, injuries have contributed to Pedro not getting enough chances; they also might cost him a spot in the Spain National team for Euro 2012. Barcelona’s manager Pep Guardiola also admitted in a press conference that Pedro should have been given more minutes on the field this season.
The 21 year old Manchester City star has been in the news mostly for the wrong reasons. But no one doubts the talent he carries with him, may be that is the reason why Roberto Mancini has tolerated his indiscipline for so long. He is a very quick and a powerful striker. Scoring 13 goals from 14 starts, he helped City to win the league, in just his second season at the club. Due to availability of number of stars in the Manchester City team, he has not been able to showcase his talent. Also a reason behind his exclusion from the team is because of the reckless attitude that he brings to the game.
The former England striker was not retained by Manchester United for next season. He got just three starts this season, many would argue that he should be on top of the list. If it comes to class and talent, then he is still one of the most respected strikers in the world. But the fact that he is injury prone and that there are already four forwards ahead of him, shows in his number of League starts. At 32, he still has some football left in him, and his fans would love to see him score again.
Since joining Tottenham in 2009 from Portsmouth, the Croatian has played almost half the games he played at Portsmouth in three years. He was a last minute transfer by Tottenham, as a back-up for an injured, Luka Modric . With Gareth Bale playing brilliantly and Luka Modric fully fit, his chances to start the games for Tottenham became more and more less as the season passed. Kranjcar made just nine starts this seasons in the Premiere League for Spurs. He is one of the best striker of the ball, and is also regarded as one of the most hardworking footballers.
For past four seasons we have seen many players join and leave Real Madrid. But one name has been a constant figure in Real’s line-up throughout these four seasons, scoring consistently, crucial goals for the team. Gonazalo Higuain is strong , fast and a great finisher. He continued his remarkable form this season, despite a number of injuries. Many would question his inclusion on this list? Jose Mourinho this season had a big decision to make between Benzema and Higuain, with both fit and in good form. But Higuain started just 18 games this season, and was subbed in almost the same number of games in La Liga. He still managed to score a good number of 22 goals and assisted in seven more. A talent like him deserves more starts than he was given this season.
After a shocking move from Liverpool to Chelsea last year, it was expected that Torres will find his old form, and become the main striker at the club. Even after a bad run for almost more than a year, he started showing some good form at the start of this season. But due to some poor finishing, he was again criticized by media and fans alike. Torres is a world class striker who is very quick, strong and has a great technique for scoring goals. But all these facts are not important unless you convert your skill into goals. With Drobga in great form, Torres started only 20 games this season scored six and assisted four others. He recently revealed to a SkySports Journalist, that he was not happy to be benched for the UEFA Champions League final match against Bayern. His future with Chelsea is not decided yet, but he would surely be looking for a club where he can get those starts he needs.
Adam Johnson is a player who has the ability to run down defenses, he has got very less game time of what he really deserves from both his club and country. After some very impressive performances by Adam, everyone expected to see more of him this season. But it never happened, starting just 10 games and subbed in 16 others, he managed to score six goals and assist twice. A jam packed City midfield, did not allow this young player to showcase his talent. He is a summer target for many teams in this transfer window, and he would be expected to move as well. After all every player wants to start the game and play it till the end and Johnson deserves it more than any.
If one has to list the world’s best footballing talents, then he can never miss out on the name Kaká. A player who has achieved so much in his career so far, from being the Serie A best player to FIFA World’s Best player in 2007, he has earned respect from football fans all over the world. Kaka is a player with a great vision, superb passing and is extremely high on skill. His first season at Real Madrid was marred with injuries, that made him sit out for most of the next season. But with Ozil playing some amazing football, Kaká wasn’t given the chances, that a player of his quality deserves. Starting just 17 games this season for Real in the La Liga, he was on the bench for most of the time this season. He is a player who can turn the game on his own, and deserves to be in the starting line up. Looking forward to see much more of him next season, be it Real Madrid, or at some other club.
Ranked 2nd on the list is Nuri Sahin. The Turkish international, made his name in world football at a very young age. This young midfielder has a great vision for passing the ball around, and excels in maintaining the tempo of the game. Sahin is also a dead ball specialist. He holds the record of being the youngest player, to both play and score in Bundesliga. Before joining Real Madrid, he took Borussia Dortmund to the league title in 2011, and was voted as the best player in Bundesliga. An injury during preseason saw him sidelined from football until November. When he made a comeback to the team, he started just 2 games in La Liga and seven in all the competitions this season, in which he scored just once. Sahin’s case begs the question: why talented footballers like him are bought by the club, if they are treated like spare tyres?
Barclays Premiere league joint top-scorer in 2010-11 with 20 goals from 32 games, Berbatov was sparingly used this season. If United won the league title last year, then Berbatov had a big hand in that. United’s start to 2011-12 season was really good and it was quite evident that, Berba would have to fight for a place in the team. With Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney playing brilliantly, it made life difficult for him to make a comeback. Even with number of forwards injured in mid-season, Berba wasn’t given enough chances to get back in shape. He started just 5 games and was subbed in seven other, in the Premiere league this season; And scored seven times this season. His ability to control the ball under pressure, is one of the best in the world, but he has been criticized for being lazy, when it comes to moving forward and taking chances. He is one of a kind striker; who can still score and win a lot; if he just finds a club willing to play him every week.
As Sir Alex Ferguson said when he moved to United- “Dimitar is a great player, you can see the quality. He is fantastic. There are very few players who can produce moments like he does in games. It can decide them.”
