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With 11 games played so far, current Premier League season has certainly lived up to its expectations - thanks to some exciting football played by the teams in the league and more open title race so far. Several players have stepped up their game and have contributed significantly to their team's success while few others have found it difficult to replicate their previous performances or have been struggling to break into the first team because of the increased competition for the spot. Here is the best-combined XI of those players who are currently lacking game-time.
Goalkeeper - Sergio Rico
The Spaniard had to wait for nearly three months to make his premier league debut as he finally replaced Bettinelli in Fulham's recent fixture against Bournemouth. After spending several years at Sevilla, he made his loan move to Fulham this season. However, Slavisa Jokanovic preferred Bettinelli over Sergio Rico until the former's performances became so poor. Rico's debut wasn't a match to remember for him as the Cherries put three past him to win the fixture convincingly.
Defenders
Stephan Lichtsteiner
The Swiss veteran was signed by Arsenal on a free transfer, following his eight-year-long stint at Juventus. Despite having the quality, he is not able to break into the main team as he is surrounded by some quality defenders in the club. He has started only a single premier league game and has featured as a substitute twice due to injuries suffered by Bellerin and Maitland-Niles.
Phil Jones
Phil Jones has ultimately lost his place at the back to Lindelof and Smalling after failing to impress Jose Mourinho. He has started only a single premier league game and the cup game which he started against Derby County ended in a loss due to his penultimate penalty miss. He is currently spending his time on the bench and it is going to be tough for Jones to get back to the United's starting eleven considering the increased competition for the spot.
Victor Moses
The Nigerian Wing-back who was a regular starter last season has played only 26 minutes of premier league football under Sarri. In one of his press conferences, Sarri explained that Moses doesn't fit well in his system and it is expected that he won't last long in the club and may switch clubs in the upcoming window.
Midfielders
Cesc Fabregas
The Spanish playmaker is yet to start a single premier league game this season, following an intense competition for a spot in the midfield. Having played an average of 61 minutes last season, it will be gutting for the midfield maestro to warm the bench so far and not able to contribute to the wins as he used to do. With the club's in-form midfielders continuing to impress, it seems that a potential transfer move is in store for him in this winter window.
Max Meyer
Once regarded as a wonder-kid and an upcoming hot prospect, Max Meyer has come a long way from being a key player in FC Schalke to a mere benchwarmer in Crystal Palace. He has started only two premier league games for the Eagles following a free transfer in summer and he must adapt quickly to English football in order to do some justice to all those tags he earned a few years ago.
Aaron Ramsey
Unlike others in the list, Ramsey started the season well but eventually has lost his place in the line-up due to several on and off the field events happened around him. Aaron Ramsey will end his long spell at the club once the season ends as it was confirmed that no extension would be provided to the midfielder. He has failed to start the last four games and it seems that he won't feature much for the Gunners in his final season at the club.
Danny Drinkwater
Danny Drinkwater is the other one who is deemed to be unfit for Sarri's system along with Victor Moses. The player who enjoyed a successful stint at Leicester has struggled to compete with the star-studded midfield at Chelsea and has eventually gone down the pecking order. The midfielder has failed to play a single minute of premier league football this season and his future doesn't seem bright at Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri.
Xherdan Shaqiri
For someone who has such a gifted left-foot and incredible shot accuracy, one premier league start in 11 games is such a disappointment. Shaqiri enjoyed over 3000 minutes of football last season at Stoke and he is currently being used as a mere super-sub. Though it was known that Shaqiri would be a backup choice to Salah, it is a big letdown to see Shaqiri warming the bench for the majority of the games. Despite coming on as a sub, Shaqiri has been highly influential in the pitch, being involved directly in 5 premier league goals so far.
Cenk Tosun
After starting the first five premier league games and failing to score in any, Marco Silva decided to drop Cenk Tosun and start with no conventional strikers in his line-up. However, the Turkish forward has turned out to be an effective sub, scoring two goals in his last 5 substitute appearances. We have to wait and see whether Marco Silva will provide Tosun with a start in the upcoming games or continue to play Richarlison and Walcott up-front.
Gabriel Jesus
The 21-year old Brazilian who was expected to replace Sergio Aguero last season has struggled to carry on his goal-scoring form after facing few injury concerns. Jesus has started only two premier league games this season and has spent the majority of the time on the bench. In his 295 minutes of premier league football this season, the Brazilian striker has already missed 8 big chances and has scored only a single goal so far.
With Sergio Aguero being the top scorer in the league currently, it is going to be a very tough task ahead for Gabriel Jesus to get the nod ahead of him.
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