Benched! 10 out of favour players who failed to secure transfers

The transfer window was a busy one, but not an entirely satisfactory one for several players on the fringes of their first teams. There were those who got away;

Dimitar Berbatov escaped the Old Trafford stands, Gio dos Santos got his long awaited move away from Spurs, and Nicklas Bendtner secured a loan move to Juventus.

But what of those left behind? With transfer windows in Russia and Turkey still to close, there is still potential to move as Chelsea' Raul Meireles signing last night for Fenerbahce showed.

Here is a look at 10 at the Premier League's 'top clubs' who could still angle for a far-flung late switch, or face watching on from the sidelines...

Heurelho Gomes

At the end of the 2010-11 season Gomes was Tottenham's first choice, but a string of errors that campaign notably against Manchester United, Chelsea, and Real Madrid prompted Harry Redknapp to bring in Brad Friedel last summer. Now Gomes finds himself fourth choice after the arrival of Hugo Lloris, with even veteran Carlo Cudicini ahead of him in the pecking order.

David Bentley

Tottenham's forgotten man, the player they once shelled out £15 million on, faces a season in the reserves unless Andre Villas-Boas springs a sudden surprise. Bentley said he was handed a clean slate earlier this summer, but has still failed to make an impression, or force a move. A loan into the Championship is still possible, and potentially his best solution.

 Jermaine Jenas

Spurs had agreed to loan Jenas to Sunderland, only to see the move break down on deadline day. Now he has to try to fight for his place in a Tottenham squad where he knows he is surplus to requirements, and any opportunities he does get will be to put himself in the shop window for January.

Federico Macheda

Manchester United allowed one reserve striker to leave in Dimitar Berbatov, but the same goodwill was not shown to Federico Macheda. The Italian 'needs' a loan move away, according to his manager, yet no suitable offers appeared to be forthcoming. He scored for the club's under-21 side last week and has been linked to Turkey previously and a move this week isn't entirely out of the question.

Bebe

Another forgotten Manchester United man, Bebe actually impressed in pre-season but will have to bide his time for any league outings. He was loaned to Besiktas last season, but barely got going thanks to injury. A second chance in Turkey could happen if a club makes an offer before the deadline on Wednesday evening.

Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal's outcast, the Gunners' win at Anfield at the weekend was the scene of his finest 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt, but the playmaker did not even make the bench. He was loaned to Zenit St Petersburg in Russia last season after the January transfer window closed, and a similar arrangement could be struck before the window closes on September 10. Either way, his Arsenal career seems over.

Marouane Chamakh

The Moroccan striker said he wanted to fight for his place at Arsenal after Robin van Persie left, but he hasn't had the best start, failing to feature so far for the club this season. He was linked with moves from everywhere to Fiorentina, Blackburn, and even Spurs this summer, and reports have it that Besiktas could make a late bid.

Sebastien Squillaci

The defender who did not play a single Premier League game last season, Squillaci is not a valued part of Wenger's first team plans. Even so there has been little talk of a move away, and he seems content to wind down his contract at the club which expires next summer. He remains an emergency option few supporters will like to see.

Florent Malouda

It seems largely improbable to think Malouda is still at Chelsea but the winger remains at Stamford Bridge. Roberto di Matteo said that if he was not sold then he would have to fight for his place, and it is encouraging for the Frenchman to know the door is not completely closed. Even so with Eden Hazard and Marko Marin in his path, a comeback for the 32-year-old looks unlikely.

Joe Cole

Cole was outspoken in his support of Brendan Rodgers earlier this summer, but his chance to impress his new manager was curtailed by injury sustained in a Europa League qualifier. The player was reportedly offered around on deadline day but said he wants to fight for his place. With a lack of attacking options at Liverpool, Cole perhaps has the best chance of any of these 10 at making a breakthrough when he regains fitness, but it will be a tough ask.

What does the future hold for these 10 players?

image: © wonker