Sidelined Soccer Players: Recognizing the Hidden Gems in Soccer

Soccer is a sport that requires a combination of skill, athleticism, and strategy. While many players aspire to become starters on their teams, some of these athletes have been relegated to the sidelines, despite having an impressive on-field record.

These players may be overlooked by their coaches or stuck behind more established players, but their talents are still worth recognizing. Some soccer players have impressive records but are not getting enough playing time on their teams.

Getty Images/ Sky Sport | Sergio Germán Romero is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Boca Juniors

Michy Batshuayi

Michy Batshuayi is a highly talented Belgian striker known for his electric pace, elite finishing ability, and versatility. He has played for several top clubs, including Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund, but has struggled to secure a starting position on these teams.

Despite this, he has an impressive record of 67 goals in 145 appearances for his club teams. Batshuayi’s lack of playing time may be due to his tendency to be inconsistent, but his potential is undeniable.

Sergio Romero

Sergio Romero is an Argentine goalkeeper who has played for Manchester United since 2015. He has been a reliable backup for the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, David De Gea, but has only made 61 appearances for the club in six seasons.

Despite this, he has an impressive record of 34 clean sheets and has been a key player for Argentina’s national team. Romero’s lack of playing time may be because De Gea is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but his skills should not be overlooked.

PA Sport/ Eurosport | His 20 goals in the calendar year of 2014 made him the top scorer in the Premier League over that period

Phil Foden

Phil Foden is a young, up-and-coming English midfielder who plays for Manchester City. Despite being just 21 years old, he has already won several trophies with the team and has been praised for his technical skills and creativity on the field.

However, he has struggled to secure a regular starting position on the team, with manager Pep Guardiola preferring more experienced players. Despite this, Foden has an impressive record of 23 goals and 29 assists in 128 appearances for the team.

Wilfried Bony

Wilfried Bony is a striker from Ivory Coast who has played for several top clubs, including Manchester City and Swansea City. Despite being a prolific scorer with a good track record, he has struggled to secure a regular starting position on these teams. Bony has scored 143 goals in 364 appearances for his club teams, but his lack of playing time in recent years has led to a decline in his form.

HUGO DELGADOEFE/ MARCA | Although he stands just 1.76m tall, Sanches is a potent cocktail of pace, power, and guile

Renato Sanches

Renato Sanches is a Portuguese midfielder once considered one of Europe’s most promising young players. He made a name for himself with Benfica and then moved to Bayern Munich for a reported fee of €35 million.

However, he struggled to adapt to the German league and was eventually loaned to Swansea City. He has since returned to Bayern Munich but has still not been able to secure a regular starting position on the team. Despite this, Sanches has an impressive record of 13 goals and 16 assists in 124 appearances for his club teams.