10 players under-used by their Premier League sides

Except for a few who opt for the heavy pay-cheques, there is nothing more valuable for a professional footballer than being given a chance to play. A player can only develop with regular playing time and it is a common sight every season, that several of them become increasingly frustrated and soon be on the move to a different club.In the Premier League, where almost 835 million pounds was spend on transfers in the last summer alone, a lot of talented players are reduced to bench warming duties and never get the deserved playing time.We take a look at 10 players from the EPL, who have been greatly underused by their teams this season-[NOTE: Players who have played less than 945 minutes were considere and players who were a part of the team, before moving out in January]

#10 Michel Vorm (Tottenham Hotspurs)

Vorm competes with Hugo Lloris for a starting position

When Vorm made his move from Swansea City to Tottenham Hotspurs this summer, it made no sense at all because, he was swapping a starting role in a decent mid-table side for a bench warming role in a side that already had a world-class goalkeeper.

Almost five months later, Vorm has evolved from one of the best goalkeepers in the League to being just a ‘cup keeper’. Even though he fails in comparison to Hugo Lloris, Vorm is still a decent keeper and could have easily established himself as a starter in several other teams.

#9 Jordi Amat (Swansea City)

He has only played the first four matches of the season.

The young Spanish centre-back had impressed in his maiden season at the Liberty Stadium last term and cemented his place in the starting line-up ousting Chico Flores. This season though, the arrival of Federico Fernandez has seen Amat drop down the pecking order.

In spite of starting Swansea’s first four matches and keeping clean-sheets against Burnley FC and West Bromwich Albion,

Amat has since then failed to make a single appearance with Ashley Williams and Fernandez building a formidable partnership. Kyle Bartley has moved ahead of the 22-year old as the club's third choice defender.

#8 Tom Ince (Hull City)

Tom Ince left the club in-between to join Nottingham Forest

Tom Ince’s case is a peculiar one- last season, he joined Crystal Palace on loan in Janaury and started off brilliantly with a goal and an assist in his first match. However, later he faded away and had to be content with just seven appearances.

Similarly this season, Ince impressed in the first couple of matches for Hull City but then failed to even make the bench for almost two months, before moving to Nottingham Forest on loan.

With 33 goals and 30 assists in his three years at Blackpool, it is obvious that the talent is there and it is surprising why the managers have not shown enough patience with him. Now back at Hull after his loan move, Ince will be hoping to get some serious and consistent playing time.

#7 Rickie Lambert (Liverpool)

Lambert has made only five starts for Liverpool this season

Even though Lambert was not expected to be their main striker, when he signed for his boyhood club in the summer, everyone expected him to chip in occasionally having amassed 28 goals and 19 assists in the last two seasons for Southampton. Yet for some reason, Brendan Rodgers has looked reluctant to give the veteran striker his deserved chances. In spite of the unavailability of Daniel Sturridge due to injury and Mario Balotelli’s lack of form, Lambert has only managed 5 starts and 12 cameo appearances.

#6 Peter Cech (Chelsea)

Cech has been playing second fiddle to Courtois all season

One of the Premier League’s most accomplished goalkeepers, Cech has had to be content with a spot on the bench, due to the emergence of Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian’s fine performance this season has seen Cech make only four appearances so far in the League, which is shameful given his quality. The fact that Chelsea has kept a clean-sheet in each of the four Premier League matches signals how well he manages his defence.

At 32, he is still young enough for a goalkeeper and with several top clubs looking to sign him, it would be better for him to leave.

#5 Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)

Rosicky has performed, whenever he’s been called upon by Wenger

Some players are simply not affected by age, and Tomas Rosicky is a perfect example of that. Even at the age of 34, Rosicky has looked elegant when he is on the ball and has proven that his class is still intact. However, with only three substitute appearances in the first 17 matches, Rosicky only got his first start this season against QPR on Boxing Day, but immediately made an impact with a goal to his name.

Rosicky could still easily be a regular starter at any mid-table Premier League side, but his loyalty to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger’s hesitance to play him consistently has meant Rosicky remains one of the most underused players in the EPL.

#4 Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspurs)

Hull City have lured Lennon for the rest of the season.

The 27-year old English winger might have lost a bit of his pace, but it is still surprising to see how rarely he has been used in the league by Mauricio Pochettino. In spite of all his experience, he seems to have fallen down the pecking order with Christian Eriksen, Eric Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend all above him.

Lennon has only managed three starts and six substitute appearances in total this season. Hull City have confirmed his capture on loan.

#3 Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)

Januzaj has played just 11 games for United this season

After having burst into the scene last season, everyone expected Januzaj to bloom under Louis Van Gaal given the Dutchman’s penchant to work with youngsters. However, Januzaj has found his minutes very hard to come by and has not started a Premier League match since early November.

Although Van Gaal has ruled out any move away from Old Trafford for the Belgian this transfer window, it would be better for his development that he secures a loan move to a club where he is guaranteed regular playing time.

#2 Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)

Zouma had to wait a year for his first Premier League start

Zouma joined Chelsea in the summer and being one of the most highly rated young defenders around, he was expected to be more than just a benchwarmer. However, Zouma had to wait until earlier this month to make his first Premier League start and with just 47 minutes across three substitute appearances before that.

He has been given less opportunities to prove his worth. Even though Jose Mourinho has been often starting the Frenchman for cup ties, Zouma would be hoping he gets his due in the League as well.

#1 Ander Herrera (Manchester United)

Herera was bought for £28.4 million from Athletic Bilbao

When Herrera signed for Manchester United in the summer, it seemed as if they had finally solved their midfield crisis. Herrera’s performances in the pre-season friendlies enhanced their expectations even further. Surprisingly though, once the season began Louis Van Gaal was sceptical about the Spaniard’s playing time.

Although Herrera might have received the most playing time on this list, he definitely has the quality to be a regular starter and it can be easily said that Van Gaal is underusing the talented midfielder.