Hleb, Joe Cole, Sol Campbell, Shay Given: six of the best forgotten footballers
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When Alexander Hleb piped up this week to criticise Birmingham City's style of play, football fans could be forgiven if they had forgotten that the Belarusian was at St Andrews, so anonymous he has been since signing in 2010.
Here are six other forgotten footballers…
Joe Cole AT Liverpool
Liverpool are struggling with injuries and Kenny Dalglish is blooding young players like Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson, yet still Joe Cole can't get a look in. Liverpool fans were over the moon to have Cole at Anfield when he was signed on a free transfer, fresh from winning the title at Chelsea. He was sent off on his debut against Arsenal, however, and it was downhill from there as Roy Hodgson's Liverpool lurched from one crisis to another. Kenny Dalglish may yet find a role for Cole at Anfield, but for now his place is firmly on the bench .
Sol Campbell AT NEWCASTLE UNITED
Sol Campbell turned down the chance to stay at Arsenal in the summer of 2010, in favour of a move to newly promoted Newcastle. “I just want to play and can't wait to get started,” said Campbell. Hmm, he's played just seven Premier League games since then, three of which were as substitute. Considering all the injuries Arsenal have had at centre back, he really should have stuck around the Emirates Stadium.
Michael Owen AT Manchester United
England's third highest goalscorer hit the headlines after making a substitute appearance for Man United at Newcastle, leading him to respond via Twitter (see them here) to the boos he received. This was a rare recent moment in the spotlight for Owen, who had made just eight league appearances up to that point (seven as sub). One Premier League goal all season tells its own story, although he's still about as prolific as Fernando Torres!
Alan Smith AT NEWCASTLE UNITED
Now the wrong side of 30, Smith played his part in Newcastle's promotion to the Premier League but has only trotted out seven times for the Toon in the top flight this season. Still, at least he's a little bit of company for Sol Campbell on those cold North East afternoons.
Shay Given AT MANCHESTER CITY
Roberto Mancini once described Shay Given as “one of the five best goalkeepers in the world”, but sadly for the Republic of Ireland's most capped player Mancini rates Joe Hart higher. That, combined with a shoulder injury, has restricted Given to a meagre four appearances this season, none of which have come in the Premier League. Given is surely too good to stay in the shadows for long, especially as time is running out for the ageing keeper.
Eidur Gudjohnsen AT Fulham AND Stoke
A title winner with both Chelsea and Barcelona, Eidur Gudjohnsen signed for Stoke City in 2010, where he made just five substitute appearances before being shipped out on loan to Fulham in the January transfer window. Gudjohnsen has fared little better at Craven Cottage, making five substitute appearances to date. What with the Michael Jackson statue, it's more Bad than Gud at Fulham these days.