Sometimes, even the most talented of footballers can face difficult obstacles in their lives. Despite being better than most other players in the Premier League, these footballers find themselves warming the bench for some really big clubs even after having given their best in the past.
There are several players in the Premier League who had joined big clubs in hope of finding regular first team football but end up playing second fiddles to the manager’s favourites. Some of the players on this list are barely 30 and yet have to sit on the sidelines despite being completely able to change the game for their sides.
Let’s take a look at 5 such players in the Premier League who went from starters to benchwarmers
Olivier Giroud:
The dynamic French striker is arguably one of the most underrated strikers in the Premier League. Despite consistently scoring goals for Arsenal since his arrival back in 2012, Giroud has lost his place in Wenger’s first to Alexandre Lacazette. The former Lyon striker is now Arsenal’s first choice striker after signing him from Lyon earlier this summer for close to £50 million. However, one can never count out Giroud from challenging Lacazette as he has shown in the past. It won’t be a surprise if Giroud manages to fight his way back into the Gunner’s starting XI in the coming weeks.
Wilfried Bony:
The 28-year-old Ivory Coast striker was leading the score sheets for Swansea City before joining Manchester City on a £25 million deal back in 2014. A lot was expected from the Bony that seasons but he could barely manage to outclass Sergio Aguero in his limited appearances for the Sky Blues. The arrival of Pep Guardiola last summer completely killed off any chances of making a comeback into the first team. Although, Bony could now get back to his best after joining his former club Swansea in the summer.
Michy Batshuayi:
The 23-year-old Belgium international striker enjoyed a brilliant first season at Chelsea, having won the Premier League in his first appearance in the Premier League. Batshuayi was brought in from Marseille after two impressive seasons in front of goal as a regular starter. But, with Antonio Conte having brought in Alvaro Morata this summer for a record fee, Batshuayi is now playing second fiddle to the highly rated Spanish striker. Batshuayi is definitely not a player who should be warming benches especially after winning the League.
Sergio Aguero:
The Argentine international striker is perhaps the best Non-English striker that the Premier League has ever seen. The 29-year-old target man had fired Manchester City to two Premier League titles in the past and is one of the most consistent goal scorers in Europe with 170 goals in 255 appearances for Manchester City. Despite his incredible stats, City’s new manager, Pep Guardiola has not yet chosen Aguero to be his leading striker having brought in 20-year-old Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus in January last season.
Guardiola started Jesus over Aguero quite a few times in the Premier League last season and is planning to more of the same this season. Aguero is definitely not the kind of player any team would want on their bench. While it’s surprising to see Guardiola’s plans for him, his age could also be a factor but not that it has ever a matter concern for the Argentine.
Daniel Sturridge:
The England international might not be the most physically fit strikers in the Premier League but he certainly one of the most talented ones. Sturridge has always had a bad history of injuries and has not quite managed to repeat the same form he had shown playing alongside Luis Suarez back in 2013/14 season. Despite being fit and looking in the best shape of his career this season, Jurgen Klopp has chosen Roberto Firmino as his leading striker in the team. Only 28, and at the peak of his career, Sturridge certainly does not deserve to be warming the bench at Liverpool.
Myself Surya working as a Senior Analyst in 360-bytes. I write critics for latest football match updates & football news
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