Transfer Talk: The Premier League's forgotten stars

There are plenty of Premier League stars desperate for minutes and the chance to impress their bosses.

After failing to secure summer moves away, players have found themselves stuck on the bench or out of the squad completely.

Some of them will feature in Carabao Cup ties over the next two evenings, while others will be frustrated with their sides already out.

We profile five stars from the big six clubs looking for the exit door come January 1. 

Donny van de Beek

It has been a miserable spell at Manchester United for Donny van de Beek.

Not fancied last campaign, he returned for pre-season early after working extra hard on his fitness and strength.

But it has made little difference with just six minutes of Premier League action and 45 in the Champions League.

Gary Neville said: "Why’s Donny van de Beek not being given a chance?

"He’s not been given a chance for 18 months so you’ve got to come to the conclusion that Ole didn’t sign him or he doesn’t fancy him.

"Neither is good for Donny van de Beek so I think he needs to go and play football somewhere [else]."

Jesse Lingard

And United team-mate Jesse Lingard is another who must be regretting staying at Old Trafford.

After a fruitful loan spell at West Ham last campaign, Lingard was expected to depart permanently in the summer.

But the prospect of breaking back into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting line-up enticed the 28-year-old to stay.

Yet even amid the Red Devils' recent struggles, Lingard’s only start came in the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham.

The Mancunian’s contract runs out next summer and United will want to receive a fee for Lingard in January if possible.

Harry Winks

Harry Winks has gone from Tottenham and England regular, to bit-part player.

He has not made Spurs’ squad for any Premier League games, featuring in only two Europa Conference League matches.

That prompted a frank and honest interview from Winks last week — and his days at Spurs look numbered.

Winks said: "I’m man enough to admit that I need to improve in certain areas. I need to play games and the only way to [improve] is getting minutes and getting that sharpness back.

"I love Tottenham, I’ve always made that clear, but I want to play football. 

"And I want to play regular football. The only way to play your best football, get momentum, is playing regularly.

"I’m giving my all for the club, of course I am. They stuck by me, I stuck by them — and I want to play for Tottenham.

"But it is difficult when you get matches here and there, confidence is low and you don’t get that run of games."

Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah continues to fall further down the improving Gunners’ pecking order.

Nketiah started last season as a regular in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

But his failure to kick on has left England Under-21’s all-time record goalscorer left playing Under-23s football.

His only first-team appearance came against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup, when he scored in a 3-0 home victory.

Now nearly two years since his loan spell at Leeds ended, Nketiah needs to leave North London again.

Nat Phillips

An unlikely mainstay in Liverpool’s defence in 2020-21, Nat Phillips has not played a minute this season.

An injury crisis at Anfield led to his unexpected role last campaign as he played 20 times in all competitions for the Reds.

And his displays at the heart of defence led to plenty of interest from clubs in the lower half of the Premier League.

But no move materialised and his only senior action came for the U21s in an EFL Trophy game against Bolton.

There will be teams after his signature in January and Phillips, 24, knows he needs a move.