5 best footballers who deserve to play more minutes for their clubs

Injuries, patchy stretches of form, dispute with the coaching staff: there are infinite factors that can derail a player's career at a particular club. All the stated reasons boil down to a lack of game time, making it the perfect adversary for the career of a budding youngster. In hindsight, one needs to be extremely careful in order to achieve success in this overly-competitive line of work called football.

Argentine veteran Sergio Aguero recently made his debut for Barcelona, ending a five-month hiatus from football. However, his latest No.7 teammate Ousmane Dembele hasn't been so lucky and is yet to make a single appearance this season.

Italy's star wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola is another name whose injury has restricted him from playing a single game this campaign. Wolves' promising forward Pedro Neto, who sustained a knee injury in April, is not expected to make a comeback any time soon in 2021. Other prominent names without a game this season include Eberechi Eze, Wesley Fofana, James Justin and more.

While injuries have been a common theme among players who haven't yet appeared for their teams, certain fit footballers have also missed a big chunk of the 2021-22 season. Tactical differences and spats with the coaching staff have led to the ousting of several worthy athletes. On that note, let's take a look at five players who deserve to play more minutes for their club:

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#5 Hirving Lozano (Napoli)

Lozano suffered an injury in July

Kicking off our list in fifth place is Mexican prodigy, Hirving Lozano. The pacy wingman has barely featured for a high-flying Napoli side, accumulating just 472 minutes across all competitions this season. Even so, he has managed to register two goals and two assists in limited game time.

Primarily a right-winger, Lozano is capable of playing anywhere on the frontline, rendering his ousting from the starting lineup even more bizarre. Newly-appointed coach Luciano Spalletti has quickly warmed up to the trident of Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen and newcomer Matteo Politano, restricting Lozano to the bench.

In light of a horrific eye injury sustained back in July, Lozano has proceeded cautiously ever since. On top of that, Spalletti's preference for the duo of Insigne and Politano has limited "Chucky" Lozano's game time. The 26-year-old Mexican will be hoping for things to take a turn for the positive soon.

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#4 Dejan Kulusevski (Juventus)

Juventus v UC Sampdoria - Serie A

Juventus' purchase of Dejan Kulusevski in 2020 for a sum of €35 million was initially viewed as a coup, considering the youngster's immense potential. The Swedish winger had just had a breakout season at a middling Parma side, racking up 19 goal contributions in 36 games for I Crociati on loan.

While his debut season with Juventus did see a slight drop in output, the overall campaign was deemed to be decent. The youngster was able to captivate audiences with his performances but failed to earn the trust of the backroom staff. As a result, he was on the list of possible departures from the Allianz Stadium, with the club willing to let him go for the right offer.

Midway through the ongoing season, Kulusevski has only completed a Serie A game on one occasion, with a total of 387 on-field minutes this season. Furthermore, the 21-year-old versatile attacker has been used as a utility man this term, limiting his exposure. With no shortage of suitors, the Swedish prodigy could depart from Turin just two years after joining if his issues aren't resolved as soon as possible.

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#3 Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund v Sporting CP: Group C - UEFA Champions League

The younger of the two Hazard brothers, Thorgan Hazard, currently holds a greater market value (€27 million) than his sibling at Real Madrid (€25 million). Bought from Bundesliga rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2019 for €25.5 million, Hazard quickly established his position in Dortmund's starting lineup.

However, due to constant niggling injuries, the Belgian attacker has had to take a few steps back in his career. Furthermore, the emergence of Jadon Sancho and Giovanni Reyna in recent years has also hindered his progress at the Westfalenstadion.

Subsequently, Hazard has only played a meager 426 minutes this term. Having missed out on a few games due to ankle problems, Marco Rose has only allowed him to complete the full 90 minutes in a single match so far. At 28, Hazard needs to find his footing as soon as he can.

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#2 Georginio Wijnaldum (PSG)

Netherlands Training Session and Press Conference - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

Having rejected Barcelona's advances in favor of a more lucrative deal with PSG, Georginio Wijnaldum left Liverpool this summer after five fruitful seasons. However, things haven't panned out as Wijnaldum would've hoped as the Dutch midfielder finds himself restricted to the bench, halfway through the season.

An absolute workhorse with the Reds, the industrial midfielder was a key figure in Jurgen Klopp's all-conquering Liverpool side. Nevertheless, his role at PSG is far from that of a starter, with the 30-year-old Dutch international playing just 565 minutes this term.

In a recent interview with Netherlands-based media outlet NOS, Wijnaldum voiced his unhappiness over his situation at the Parc des Princes. So far, he has played a bit-part role in Mauricio Pochettino's PSG, being deployed in various positions according to the need of the hour. Going by the current scene, Wijnaldum's free transfer to France could be really short-lived if things remain the same.

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#1 Riqui Puig (Barcelona)

Puig is yet to complete 100 minutes this season

One of the most promising youngsters in world football at the moment, Riqui Puig is spending the majority of his development years on the fringes of the Barcelona first-team. Despite the middling quality of the current Blaugrana squad, he cannot seem to get a look into the starting lineup.

The 22-year-old creative midfielder broke onto the scene in the 2019-20 season, becoming one of the few shining lights in a dwindling Barcelona side. Under Quique Setien, Puig was a key figure at Camp Nou, successfully showcasing his class on a weekly basis.

Despite Setien's calamitous failures, Puig was able to make his way into Culers' hearts, drawing comparisons to the great Andres Iniesta. Fast forward one year and the talented youngster is on the verge of leaving his boyhood club due to a lack of opportunities.

Since the commencement of the 2020-21 season, Puig has racked up an embarrassing 653 minutes, with Ronald Koeman not showing any kind of trust in his player. Considering his pedigree, Puig desperately needs more minutes on the pitch, be it for Barcelona or any other club. With Koeman now gone, the Puig could revive his career.

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