Saul Niguez and Bryan Gil among the most expensive out-of-favour players in Europe

Spanish players Saul Niguez and Bryan Gil, of Chelsea and Spurs respectively, form part of a list of the most expensive players with the least minutes played this season in Europe.

The duo both arrived in England in the summer just gone, but have found game time hard to come by in the Premier League. Their situations are, on the one hand, quite different, but also very similar: both haven't played as much as they would have liked to in 2021/22.

Saul, since seeking a new challenge away from Atletico Madrid, from whom he is on loan at Stamford Bridge, has played just 47 league minutes for the Blues, having failed to force a way into Thomas Tuchel's plans. Chelsea's midfield is stacked with talent, including N'Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic and Saul has found there is next to no room for him in the rotation.

Bryan, meanwhile, was signed by Tottenham as one for the future, and he is still adapting and trying to find his role in the team. He has played just 57 minutes in the Premier League, although he has started six Europa Conference League games, including qualifiers, and two EFL Cup games.

A star-studded XI of players for the winter window

Saul and Bryan are just two players whose lack of playing time could see them heavily linked with a move away from their current clubs in the January transfer window. In fact, you can make an impressive team from high-profile players who haven't been seeing much game time ahead of the winter transfer market.

Joining Saul and Bryan in midfield could be Hakim Ziyech and Donny van de Beek, while you could have a strike pairing of Antony Martial and Luka Jovic.

The backline, meanwhile, would be comprised of Gonzalo Montiel, Clement Lenglet, Joe Gomez and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

It would be quite a formidable team, but none are heavily involved for their clubs as things stand. Time will tell if that is set to change or if these players will indeed be on the market in January.