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Who needs more playing time?
- Updated: January 4, 2017
With the January window open, we take a look at 10 players who have struggled for playing time in the league this season…
Whatever the reason – form, fitness or competition for places – plenty of big names have found themselves on the bench so far.
By looking at players who made a minimum of 10 Premier League appearances last term, we’ve primarily focused on those who have seen their playing time reduced.
While a January move may not necessarily be on the cards, many of the names below have been linked with transfers.
For reference, a player who has not missed a minute so far this season has played 1,800 minutes
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) – 8 minutes played
The highly-rated youngster looked set for a breakthrough campaign after making 13 top-flight appearances last season and it initially looked promising when Antonio Conte took charge in the summer.
Loftus-Cheek made two EFL Cup starts and won praise from the Italian, who hailed his “great potential” in August.
But he’s made a single league appearance since and his transition into a more attacking role has failed to pay dividends, with Nathaniel Chalobah often now preferred in Chelsea’s matchday squad.
Morgan Schneiderlin (Man Utd) – 11 minutes played
Sky sources understand West Brom are keen on the out-of-favour Frenchman but are yet to make a second bid after their opening £18m offer was rejected by Man Utd.
Having made 29 appearances under Louis van Gaal last season, Schneiderlin has been restricted to just 11 minutes of Premier League football.
His new boss Jose Mourinho has said he won’t stand in his way should the right offer come in, with Everton – now managed by Schneiderlin’s former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman – also in talks.
Kenedy (Chelsea, on loan at Watford) – 16 minutes played
Former interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink was a fan but Kenedy faces a battle to prove his worth to Conte, who allowed him to join Watford on a season-long loan in August.
Injury disrupted his time at …
