Chelsea Players Who Aren't Earning Their Wages

Ask any football fan and they will tell you the same thing—players apparently not doing enough to earn their salary is the biggest sin of them all.

Not pulling their weight. Shirking responsibility. Under-performing. Call it what you will, the debate has long raged where footballers are concerned. Monday's Twitter discussion between Christopher Samba and QPR fans following Rangers' 3-2 defeat to Fulham has seen the subject rear its head once more (via BBC Sport).

The Congolese international was criticized by some fans for a below-par performance at Craven Cottage, calling into question whether he deserves his reported £100,000-per-week wages.

It got Bleacher Report thinking—who else could similar criticism be aimed at? Well, here's our list of some Chelsea stars who are perhaps earning more than their worth right now.

Fernando Torres

It's somewhat painful to write of Fernando Torres in these terms, as he has been one of the great strikers of his generation, but for the player Chelsea thought they were buying, the Spaniard has not delivered on his billing.

That's not to say he hasn't battled for the team and put in the necessary effort, which he has. But what Chelsea pay his reported £175,000-per-week salary (via Daily Mail) for is game-changing goals that ultimately win them championships.

There have been signs this season the player he once was at Atletico Madrid and Liverpool is still lurking, but the harsh truth is that, at Chelsea, it simply hasn't worked out for him.

It's not a mark on his character to suggest Torres hasn't earned his wages at Stamford Bridge. That would be to suggest he doesn't care, when he very clearly does. It just hasn't worked out for him in the way many had hoped, although he has brought many positives to this Chelsea team.

Marko Marin

Similar to teammate Fernando Torres, Marko Marin is another Stamford Bridge star who hasn't quite got his Chelsea career up and running yet.

YouTube means every football fan with a record button is suddenly a scout and expert when it comes to emerging young talent these days. Where highlight reels of Marin are concerned, however, they're not that far off outlining his true ability.

Injuries and a subsequent crisis of confidence have certainly played their part in a forgettable debut in England for the young German. He has failed to make an impression on the starting XI, while those around him in a similar position—Oscar, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Victor Moses—have earned their right to a starting berth or a place on the bench, at least.

Marin's given very little to the Blues this season, so he begrudgingly makes our list of players not doing enough to earn their wages.

Yossi Benayoun

It stands to reason that Yossi Benayoun, a Chelsea player since July 2010, should make the list of stars currently earning above their worth at Stamford Bridge.

In his three years in West London, the Israeli has actually made more appearances on loan at the likes of Arsenal and West Ham United than he has for the Blues.

Reports suggest he is earning around £75,000 per week (via Daily Telegraph), and taking his role into account since he arrived from Liverpool, one conclusion can only be made.

It's not Benayoun's concern what he earns, of course; he simply signed the contract that was put before him. But rewarding fringe players such as the 32-year-old so lavishly is where football has gone wrong in the modern era.

The likes of Juan Mata, Frank Lampard and John Terry earn the salaries they do on account of what they bring to Chelsea—goals, trophies and success. Those falling outside of that shouldn't be treated as handsomely as Benayoun is.

Florent Malouda

From Champions League winner to Chelsea reserve in a matter of months, this season has been one to forget for Florent Malouda.

The French ace has been left to train with the club's youth players this year as the Blues look poised to force through his transfer.

It's a shame, too, as he has played a vital part in the club's success and winning the Champions League in 2012 would have been a fine end to his time in English football.

It's worked out somewhat differently, however, with Malouda rarely seen in 2012/13.

His reputation is one of sincerity, a genuine character who is well liked among his teammates. He makes our list, though, as he has been fit and in condition to perform this season but has not played a single second.

Whether that's his doing or not, training for two hours a day, five days a week is hardly worth the reported £80,000 a week the Blues pay him (via Daily Telegraph).