5 footballers who are too good to be on the bench

Every team has them. Those players whose presence on the bench when the team sheets are read out leave supporters open-mouthed. Substitutes are supposed to be just that. A reserve. A backup. Not first-choice players.Unless a player is coming back from injury and needs to be re-introduced to the team gradually over time, then there is no excuse for keeping certain players in the background. It does neither player nor manager any favours whatsoever. How many times have we seen a player who should never have been sidelined in the first place come on and change the course of a match?We take a look at five players who shouldn’t be spending any time at all in the dugout.

#1 Isco - Real Madrid

Isco is one of the biggest victims of Real Madrid’s Galactico buying policy. Bought for a not insignificant transfer fee, the former Malaga “Golden Boy” hasn’t had a problem with hitting the heights. He has just never been given the chance to do so on a regular basis.

He only finds himself in the lineup presently because of the injury to James Rodriguez. Once the Colombian is back to full fitness, Isco will be straight back on the sidelines again. It really is a criminal waste of his unbelievable talent and it is no real surprise that both Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in taking him to the Premier League in January.

His old boss Manuel Pellegrini holds all of the aces and it isn’t too far-fetched to believe that the player will jump at the chance of regular and sustained first team action. Real evidently have more money than sense.

And you know what they say. You don’t know what you have got till you lose it.

#2 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Arsenal

The case of Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another strange one. An England international and one of the few players in Arsene Wenger’s side that can bring physicality and game-changing ability to the party, why on earth is he routinely stuck on the bench?

Look at this season’s Community Shield by way of example. A sumptuous finish into the top corner against Chelsea giving the Frenchman his only win to date over Jose Mourinho. Injury concerns aside, he has barely featured since then.

The problem is that his tenure on the sidelines is becoming something of a habit. Wenger’s perseverance with Theo Walcott is absurd and probably the one major factor stopping the youngster getting a decent run in the side. Frankly, you need to have more to your game than the ability to put on the afterburners.

At just 22 years of age, ‘The Ox’ possesses drive, power, patience and an eye for the spectacular. It is a criminal waste of young talent.

#3 Arturo Vidal - Bayern Munich

Let’s be clear; Arturo Vidal has had his fair share of personal problems over the last few months. But as he showed for Chile when dragging them to Copa America glory, whatever might be happening in his personal life hasn’t affected his profession.

His performances were immaculate, as they were for Juventus. Alongside Paul Pogba, midfield general Vidal ruled that part of the pitch. Energetic displays won him a legion of admirers and a move to Bayern Munich where Pep Guardiola noted that his particular brand of football was much needed in a midfield that fell short last season.

A couple of little niggles initially hampered his progress, but Guardiola has, in general terms, decided to stick with his tried and tested. And as a result, Vidal is barely getting a look in.

He is fit enough for his international side, but not for the Bavarians it would seem. Unless Guardiola has a change of heart or change of formation, that is £28m down the drain and a spectacular player left to rot.

#4 Marc Bartra - Barcelona

Barcelona are going against their principles again this season. La Masia is crumbling and those at the very top don’t seem inclined to do anything about it. One after the other, players from the Catalan club’s famous academy are choosing to move to pastures new to get regular first-team action.

Marc Bartra has waited for an age to become a first choice alongside Gerard Pique but is generally being overlooked in favour of Javier Mascherano, a defensive midfielder by trade. Even Sergio Busquets has been preferred ahead of Bartra, who in reality has never let the Catalans down when being given the opportunity.

He ticks all of the right boxes. Tall, athletic and strong, he is equally comfortable in dealing with aerial threats as well as those on the deck. Arguably, he is the most natural fit in the Barcelona back line with Pique.

But Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, Tata Martino and now Luis Enrique just don’t seem to trust him. If he leaves, which seems more likely than ever, Barcelona will only have themselves to blame after letting another talent slip through their fingers.

#5 Reece Oxford - West Ham United

It was one of the best debuts the Premier League has ever seen. When 16-year-old Reece Oxford made his EPL debut, he became the second-youngest player ever to make a Premier League debut. And he was West Ham’s man of the match in the opening fixture of this season against Arsenal, a 2-0 victory for the Hammers which sent shockwaves throughout the English top flight.

The youngster was assured and comfortable in possession, always taking the simple option and trying not to over elaborate on his first senior outing. Up against £42.4m man Mesut Ozil, it was the pupil rather than the master that looked the most confident.

Not a single ball was misplaced all afternoon and the Hammers midfield looked as water-tight as it has done for years. Already a seasoned England schoolboy international, the media were talking in such glowing terms that a senior call-up seemed a formality.

But since then the player has mysteriously fallen completely off the radar; stuck on the bench and barely risked since by Hammers manager Slaven Bilic. A decision that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Reece Oxford is going places. Just not yet.