Whether it’s down to injury, unpopularity or simple tactical choices, there’s a decent selection of talented Premier League players with just one measly minute under their belts so far this term.
Marquinhos – Arsenal
With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli resembling a pair of Red Arrows flying down the wings at the Emirates Stadium these days, leaving opposition full-backs trailing in their wake, it’s perhaps not much of a surprise that an inexperienced 19-year-old summer signing has found Premier League opportunities hard to come by so far this term.
A £3 million addition from Sao Paulo, Marquinhos is, however, a regular member of Mikel Arteta’s match-day squad already. He’s been included against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Liverpool. A glittering performance against FC Zurich in Europe meanwhile – one capped by his maiden Gunners goal – felt like an intriguing glimpse into an exciting future for Marquinhos in North London.
“He’s very popular with his smile and attitude,” Arteta says of Marquinhos. “He has earned the respect and admiration of everybody here.
“He’s a player that needs to keep developing. And in order to do that we need to give him opportunities. When we have asked him to play with the U21s, he’s done incredibly well. That’s why he got his chance against Zurich. And he might get another chance very soon.”
Kalvin Phillips – Manchester City
This is not how Phillips’ debut season at Manchester City was supposed to go. Since joining for £42 million from boyhood club Leeds, England’s 2021 Player of the Year has played just three games; one of those coming in domestic competition.
With Phillips now out of action with a shoulder injury, it could be a while before he doubles his tally of Premier League minutes under City boss Pep Guardiola too.
A key part of Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2021 squad, Yorkshire-born Phillips faces a race against time as he looks to secure a seat on the plane to Qatar. Fortunately for the 26-year-old, England have a manager who doesn’t appear to give all that much importance to recent form…
Matt Ritchie – Newcastle United
That Ritchie spent so much time under Steve Bruce playing at left-back almost felt like a metaphor for Newcastle’s chronic lack of investment and ambition in the Mike Ashley era. So it’s fitting, in some ways, that the club’s emergence as one of the most exciting in the division under Eddie Howe has coincided with Ritchie drifting out of the first-team picture.
Emil Krafth – Newcastle United
Unlike St James’ team-mate Ritchie, Krafth’s lack of opportunities under Howe is the result of simple misfortune. One of the most improved and steady Newcastle performers since Steve Bruce’s drawn-out departure a year ago, the Sweden international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament injury and is likely to be out of action until 2023.
Djed Spence – Tottenham Hotspur
A couple of weeks ago, Spurs boss Antonio Conte described Spence as a ‘club signing’. The implication being, of course, that the former Nottingham Forest loanee was a player chosen by the recruitment department rather than by Conte himself. Does this explain why Spence has played just one out of a potential 810 Premier League minutes so far?
It’s not as if Spence is being kept out of the side by an elite-level talent, either. Most supporters would gladly admit that Emerson Royal, while a willing worker, is probably the weak link of this Tottenham side, with Spence a far more threatening, swashbuckling option on the right-hand side.
Matt Doherty was even chosen ahead of the £20 million summer signing against Brighton last time out.
“My hope (is) to have more options in this role (right-back).” Conte said at his Friday press conference. “I think (Spence) is improving, and starting to understand the demands to stay at Tottenham.”
Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United
With eight wins in their last ten games, United supporters don’t have much to complain about right now. A novel feeling, following a decade of almost-constant drama and dissatisfaction at Old Trafford. The lack of opportunities afforded to Alejandro Garnacho by head coach Erik ten Hag is, however, a slight disappointment given how excited most fans are about this 18-year-old Spain-born Argentina youth international.
Garnacho’s time will come. When it will come, however, is another matter.
“What you want is young players who deserve a chance,” Ten Hag said during pre-season. “You want to give them a chance. He shows himself in pre-season. He played well.”
Jamal Lowe – AFC Bournemouth
Given that Lowe was more of a squad player than a starter during Bournemouth’s promotion-winning 2021/22 campaign under Scott Parker, the fact he’s spent most of this term gathering dust on the sidelines in the top-flight is hardly a shock. Then again, with just eight from seven games, the Cherries are one of the lowest-scoring teams in the division.
Lowe could still have a part to play, then, with his commendable work-ethic and versatility across the frontline.
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