With almost half of the 2011/12 season now having been played, it is fair to say that most managers in Europe have settled on their preferred XIs up-to-now. With that in mind, WhoScored has decided to take a closer look at the players who are perhaps a little unfortunate not to be in their manager's permanent thinking.
We have compiled a list of the top 5 rated players by WhoScored to have made at least as many appearances from the bench in their respective leagues as they have from the start. To ensure that those included were often entrusted to make an impact from the bench, each player had to have made at least 5 substitute appearances thus far, with the leaderboard appearing as follows:
5. Jose Jurado - 5 Starts / 5 Substitute Appearances - WhoScored Rating 6.80
Versatile Spaniard Jose Jurado often operates from the left side of Schalke 04's midfield but an excellent start to the campaign for the club has somewhat hampered the 25-year-old's playing time. Occupying third place in the Bundesliga, Schalke have often overlooked Jurado - who made 21 starts from 28 appearances in comparison last season - opting instead for 18-year-old Julian Draxler, who has taken his chance in the first team extremely well for someone of such a tender age.
Nevertheless, Jurado will be hoping for a more substantial involvement when the German league returns in the New Year having equalled Draxler's assist tally of 2 from 4 fewer starts in comparison. Though neither player has scored, Jurado's 84% pass accuracy is up on the youngster, while he also makes more key passes per game (1.5). Perhaps a limited defensive contribution has been his downfall thus far, making just 0.5 tackles and 0.8 interceptions per game.
4. Nicolas Anelka - 3 Starts / 6 Substitute Appearances - WhoScored Rating 6.81
Just pipping Jurado into 4th place, it is no wonder that Nicolas Anelka has sought a move to pastures new, and while his impending transfer to Shanghai Shenhua shocked many, it had been on the cards for some time. Just 3 starts for the Frenchman this season saw him fall behind almost the entire attacking pecking order at Chelsea, with Daniel Sturridge in particular rising to prominence in his usual right-sided forward position.
It is of no surprise that Villas-Boas has stuck with the youngster, whose 7 goals in just 10 starts have helped spark a mini-revival for the Blues, culminating in a win over Man City most recently. Anelka's 1.7 shots per game have heralded 1 goal, while 0.7 key passes per game have brought a further assist. In comparison, Sturridge's 3.3 shots and 1.2 key passes per game have led to 7 goals and 2 assists, with his emergence proving that the time may be right for Anelka to have his day in the Chinese sun.
3. Roberto Trashorras - 4 Starts / 5 Substitute Appearances - WhoScored Rating 6.84
Perhaps the unluckiest of our leaderboard to seemingly be on the outskirts of his manager's plans, 30-year-old attacking midfielder Trashorras ranks as Rayo Vallecano's third best player according to WhoScored. The fact that the Spanish side sit 16th may suggest that manager Sandoval should be open to rotations but, unfortunately for Trashorras, Rayo's top rated player - Michu (7.09) - plays in his primary position.
The Spaniard has lined up on the right side of an attacking midfield 3 twice, and an easier route into the side would surely be to replace young winger, Lass. The 19-year-old has started 10 games, producing 1 goal and 3 assists to his more senior teammate’s 1 and 1 respectively. In terms of shots per game, Trashorras is more adventurous; attempting 1.7 on average, though a figure of just 0.3 key passes per game lets him down. A start in the last league game against Gijon saw Trashorras pick up a WhoScored rating of 7.8, meaning he will hope to keep his place this weekend.
2. Mario Balotelli - 5 Starts / 6 Substitute Appearances - WhoScored Rating 7.06
Undoubtedly the least surprising inclusion on the list, Mario Balotelli's 8 league goals in just 5 starts is a remarkable achievement, though his temperament may be preventing him from convincing Roberto Mancini that he should be the first name on the teamsheet. The 21-year-old has the likes of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko to compete with, meaning he has one of the toughest jobs of any striker in football when it comes to earning a starting berth, though his performances have proven worthy in the most part.
With Mancini usually opting for the little and large partnership up front, Balotelli is perhaps in more direct competition with Bosnian Dzeko, who has 10 goals in just 8 starts. The 25-year-old's assists tally could be key to Balotelli's omissions at times, having set up 3 goals to the Italian's 0. Balotelli has completed just 0.8 key passes per game, but his average of 3 shots per game is lower than Aguero's and Dzeko's and proves his chance conversion rate is a match for his teammates.
1. Adam Johnson - 4 Starts / 6 Substitute Appearances - WhoScored Rating 7.07
While Balotelli's inclusion was predictable, City teammate Adam Johnson's rating of 7.07 just betters the controversial forward, and his appearance at the top of our leaderboard is a little more of a shock. The fact that the Premier League leaders boast two representatives at the summit of our top 5 is indicative of the strength in depth that Mancini has on offer, and Johnson certainly falls under that category.
Starting mostly from right midfield, Johnson's tally of 4 league goals in as many games is superb, and has come from just 14 shots at goal (3.5 per goal). His 1.6 key passes and 0.7 dribbles per game are both better than Milner's figures, though his England teammate has started over twice as many games. With the likes of Silva and Nasri to contend with in addition, many feel it would be best for the player to seek regular football elsewhere, and potential suitors would certainly not be in short supply!
