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From a squad of 22 players (give or take), picking only 11 players to play on a particular day is no easy deal for any manager.
However, decisions have to be made, and certain players have to be dropped. At bigger clubs, where competition for places is high, this problem can be exacerbated.
Fans on social media root for dropped stars, while managers feel the heat from pundits and critics when they drop a well-known name. It is not easy for the players as well; some players tend to perform well when given a chance, but find themselves on the bench for the next game.
We look at:
5 superstars who do not get enough playing time at their club
#5 Isco (Real Madrid)
Regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world a few years ago, Isco's stock has fallen drastically since then.
The 28-year old joined Real Madrid from Malaga for a fee of £27 million in 2013, rejecting Manchester City in the process. Isco was a key player during his initial years at Real Madrid, with his creativity and technical ability well-renowned.
However, in recent years, Isco has been used as a squad player at Real Madrid. The Spain international has made 321 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 51 goals. This season, though, the former Malaga man has made just 18 league appearances for Los Blancos, with only six of them being starts. He has not recorded a goal or an assist this season.
#4 Miralem Pjanic (Barcelona)
Miralem Pjanic's Barcelona deal last summer raised eyebrows when it happened, and Pjanic's limited minutes since then have raised further questions.
Excellent creatively with good passing and vision, Pjanic enjoyed tremendous success in Serie A with Roma and Juventus. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international moved to Barcelona last summer in a deal which saw Brazilian midfielder Arthur join Juventus, and it would be fair to say both players are struggling at their respective clubs.
Pjanic has made just 17 appearances in La Liga this season, out of which six have been starts. The 31-year old has been unable to displace the likes of Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona's midfield and it remains to be seen whether he is at the club next season.
Also Read: 5 most valuable players in the Premier League this season
#3 Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)
When Jose Mourinho became manager of Tottenham Hotspur, many suggested that his arrival would be helpful for the development of Dele Alli.
That has not been the case, though. Mourinho has barely used Alli, who was heavily linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this January. The England international has made just nine appearances in the league this season, starting on only two occasions.
Unless things change drastically, the 24-year old looks set to depart Tottenham Hotspur in the summer. A move to Paris Saint-Germain could still take place, with the Ligue 1 giants coached by Mauricio Pochettino, the man under whom Alli made his name.
#2 Donny van de Beek (Manchester United)
Another Ajax graduate who left the club in a big-money move, Donny van de Beek has struggled to get going in his debut season in the Premier League.
Manchester United paid Ajax £35 million for Van de Beek's services last summer. The 23-year old was seen as good competition as well as a solid rotation option for Bruno Fernandes, with the Portugal international having started almost every game for Manchester United in the second-half of last season.
However, van de Beek has barely featured for Manchester United this season. The Netherlands international has made just two starts in the league. There have been suggestions that Paul Pogba's potential departure in the summer could open up a place for the midfielder.
#1 Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City)
Regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the league a season ago, Aymeric Laporte is now the third-choice centre-back at Manchester City.
The consistent performances of John Stones and Ruben Dias have resulted in Laporte being benched. The 26-year old, who can also operate as a left-back if needed, has made just 12 starts in the Premier League for Manchester City this season.
With Guardiola preferring a centre-back partnership of Stones and Dias, it remains to be seen what his plans for Laporte are. The Frenchman cost Manchester City £57 million when he joined the club from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018, and given his consistent performances when he has played it remains unlikely that he will be sold.
Also Read: 5 things Cristiano Ronaldo needs to do to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or
