10 EPL Stars You Didn't Know Were Still Playing

Two weeks removed from the January transfer window (yup, the recent furor over the respective cases of Luis Suarez and John Terry has masked the fact that—gasp—it’s only been a fortnight since deadline day!), we are through with another round of player transfers in the English Premier League.

They come and they go, them players.

But spare a thought for those footballers who neither come nor go, those poor souls who are still officially on their clubs’ teamsheets but just won’t get a game.

Some of them finally got to go out on loan: Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge, Tottenham's Steven Pienaary, Newcastle’s Alan Smith (Remember him? Would've been a shoo-in on this list but for MK Dons).

Some, unfortunately, are just injured: Arsenal’s Abou Diaby, City’s Owen Hargreaves (who else?), QPR’s Kieron Dyer (what else is new?), Manchester United's Michael Owen (really now?), Tottenham’s holy trinity of David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone.

But some erstwhile established players are stuck in that hell of not getting any minutes, of being forgotten entirely.

Let’s take this chance to remember 10 of those Premier League ghosts—and be sure to stay alert for any glimpse of these mythical characters in recent months.

Hey, at least they’re still getting paid.

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia

I suppose you have to give Wojciech Szczesny a ton of credit for taking Arsenal’s No.1 shirt and making it his sole property.

But Manuel Almunia, just a while ago, took over from Jens Lehmann for Arsenal in their Champions League final against Barcelona and, even less of a while ago, was being talked up for a nationality switch to represent England internationally.

Alas, even Lukas “Flappy Hands” Fabianski has gotten more minutes than Almunia this season.

And actually, I lied: Szczesny’s is the figurative No. 1 shirt; he wears No. 13.

Almunia still has No. 1.

Blackburn: Vince Grella

Okay, perhaps Grella was never a Premier League star.

But upon sealing his transfer from Serie A, where he had made a solid reputation for himself, Blackburn had gotten themselves a decent, hard-working player.

Since 2008, Grella has made 38 Premier League appearances for Blackburn, which isn’t many by a long shot, but he has had his fair share of injuries that have restricted his playing time.

Oh, and he’s been made available for transfer since July last year. How it must feel to be unwanted both by other clubs and by your own.

At least we know Michel Salgado is leaving at the end of the season, no matter what.

Grella? Not so sure.

Bolton: Robbie Blake

No, he doesn’t play for Burnley anymore.

But there’s no shame in not knowing that. After all, Robbie Blake’s only played nine league games since signing for Bolton in 2010.

Blake used to be Burnley’s hero. After several productive years in the Championship, he was that legendary figure who scored against Manchester United in a 1-0 home win for the Clarets, in their first home game back in the Premier League.

He did score a freekick for Bolton against Birmingham in August 2010, but he’s since dropped off the radar.

Chelsea: Salomon Kalou

The perennial substitute, the occasional match-winner is now the invisible man.

Such has Salomon Kalou’s importance (if you could ever call it that) declined that he was rumored to make a switch to Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal or Liverpool this January.

By all accounts, Kalou is a quite decent player. He has pace, he can finish, and he can dribble. Surely he’d be a viable option in Chelsea’s current goal drought.

But Andre Villas-Boas certainly doesn’t think so: Kalou has only made four Premier League appearances this season.

No wonder he wants to follow Nicolas Anelka out the Stamford Bridge exit door.

Liverpool: Fabio Aurelio

The last time Fabio Aurelio did anything worthwhile for non-Liverpool fans was probably his memorable freekick at Old Trafford in a thunderous 4-1 away win in 2009.

Heck, that was probably the last time he did anything worthwhile for Liverpool fans.

Aurelio’s is a sad tale of injury misfortune.

Outside his constant ailments, Aurelio actually possesses all the qualities to be a top Premier League fullback: solid tackling, exquisite crossing, sensible attacking instincts.

But his woes have meant that Liverpool have since signed Jose Enrique and now have numerous options to cover at left-back.

Manchester City: Gai Assulin

No. Carlos Tevez would’ve been too easy.

Departing from my criteria of “established” Premier League players, I’d like to draw attention to the plight of Gai Assulin.

When he was released by Barcelona and joined Manchester City on a free transfer, the hype was that City had gotten their hands on one of the most promising players in Europe at the time. Perhaps even the new Lionel Messi.

But that was a year and a half ago.

All he’s done in a City shirt is play in their reserves. He hasn’t even made a single league appearance for the first team.

So much for all that hype.

Manchester United: Tomasz Kuszczak

In the never-ending debate on who should actually be Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-choice goalkeeper, it’s always been David de Gea this, Anders Lindegaard that.

Actually, they have another goalkeeping option. His name is Tomasz Kuszczak.

He’s been so frustrated with his lack of action that he’s been calling for an Old Trafford exit for some time now.

He didn’t get his wish this January, and now he continues to kick his heels on the United bench.

Actually, no, he doesn’t. Not even. Rookie Ben Amos has now overtaken him in the pecking order.

Maybe he was just never that good a goalkeeper then.

QPR: Federico Macheda

Here’s another “plight” player.

Tthe only constructive thing Federico Macheda’s ever done was miraculously score his way to United’s title triumph, coincidentally over Liverpool, in that very same 2008-2009 season.

What’s he done since then?

Languish in the United reserves, languish on loan with Sampdoria, languish on loan with QPR.

It was just two full seasons ago that Macheda was being lauded as United’s new wonder kid on the block.

Now he can’t even make the QPR first team.

Sunderland: Craig Gordon

At £9 million, Craig Gordon used to command the record British transfer fee for a goalkeeper.

He used to be a nominee for a Greatest Ever Scotland team. He used to be Sunderland’s first-choice between the sticks. And he used to be linked with a high-profile switch to Arsenal.

Now?

He’s been surpassed by the mighty duo of Kieren Westwood and Simon Mignolet.

He doesn't even get to play in Sunderland's Cup games.

Wigan: Chris Kirkland

And to round off our list: Wigan’s Mr. Unlucky, Chris Kirkland.

Once labeled as England’s next great goalkeeper during his time at Coventry City, Kirkland made an early switch to Liverpool, where his injury troubles first started to bother him.

When it became clear that he couldn’t sustain any period of first-team appearances at Anfield, he made his way to Wigan, where he started as their No. 1, and where he’s made 122 league appearances.

But injury has struck time and again, meaning that he’s never been able to build on his solitary cap for England.

Chris Kirkland was destined for so much more—but with Ali Al-Habsi’s rise, sadly, it doesn’t even matter whether he’s injured or not anymore.

Did I forget someone? Who? Share your Premier League ghosts and your sympathies below.

And if you’re interested in opinions, match reactions and all other things Liverpool, be sure to check out my blog, The Red Armchair. Cheers.