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

#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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