10 Players You Probably Didn't Realise Are Still Playing in the Premier League
Some players are world beaters, some players just get on with their job under the radar, and there are some players you forget are still active.
Every Premier League team has their fair share of footballers that most fans probably thought had transferred away or even retired.
So, here is a look at ten players you may not have realised are still playing in England’s top flight.
10. Lucas Perez
Lucas Perez, who began his Premier League career with Arsenal in 2016, made a summer switch to the London Stadium, signing a three-year contract with West Ham United.
Having made just 11 Premier League appearances for the Gunners in his two years at the club, and having spent the majority of last season on loan at Deportivo de La Coruña, there is no shame in forgetting the Spanish striker is still about.
Perez has made two substitute appearances for the Hammers so far this season, playing a combined 40 minutes of football off the bench.
9. Anders Lindegaard
Due to somewhat of a goalkeeping crisis at Burnley earlier this season with first and second choice keepers Nick Pope and Tom Heaton both sidelined with injuries, the Clarets were left with Anders Lindegaard to take over duties between the sticks.
Burnley were forced to start the 34-year-old former Manchester United shot stopper in their Europa League third round qualifying tie against Aberdeen – the Dane's first match for over two years.
The Clarets have since signed England international Joe Hart for goalkeeping cover, pushing Lindegaard back down to fourth on the pecking order at Turf Moor.
8. Jonathan Walters
Jonathan Walters has scored 131 career goals in 623 appearances for club and country, with the most recent of those for Burnley, after the forward joined the ranks at Tuft Moor in July 2017.
The 34-year-old striker, who started his career at Blackburn Rovers, made his name at Stoke where he scored 62 goals in 271 appearances for the Potters.
The Republic of Ireland international is yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, but did feature in the Clarets' 0-0 draw away to Istanbul Basaksehir in their Europa League third round qualifying tie.
7. Julian Speroni
Julian Speroni, who has been on the books at Crystal Palace for fourteen years, has made over 400 appearances for the Eagles in all competitions.
With Wayne Hennessey and new signing Vicente Guaita - who joined the ranks at Selhurst Park from Getafe this summer - as first and second choice keepers this campaign, it leaves the 39-year-old shot stopper some way down the pecking order.
The Argentinian signed a one season contract extension with Crystal Palace in the summer, keeping him an Eagles player for one final season.
6. Younes Kaboul
Younes Kaboul made two appearances in all competitions for Watford last campaign before suffering a season ending metatarsal fracture.
The 32-year-old centre back, who signed for the Hornets in August 2016, has had an injury stricken tenure at Vicarage Road, and is a notable absence from their 2018/19 Premier League squad despite now being fully fit.
The former Tottenham Hotspur defender, who has one year left on his current contract with the Hornets, has since been linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Nantes but remains a Watford player for the time being.
5. Connor Wickham
Connor Wickham has made just 29 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace since joining the ranks at Selhurst Park in August 2015.
The 25-year-old striker, who has represented England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level, found himself involved in the Eagles preseason, but is yet to make an appearance this season.
The former Sunderland forward had been out injured for over 18 months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, suffered in a 5-4 defeat against Swansea City in November 2016.
4. John Ruddy
John Ruddy made 45 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the club's title winning 2017/18 Championship season, but has failed to feature for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side since.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who joined the ranks at Molineux in July 2017, has found himself playing second fiddle to new signing Rui Patricio in the Premier League campaign so far.
The former English international shot stopper has been on the bench for all three of Wolves’ opening top flight fixtures this season.
3. Rob Green
Rob Green put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Chelsea this summer in what could be the most bizarre signing of the Premier League era.
The 38-year-old goalkeeper, who made zero appearances last season whilst on the books at Huddersfield Town, will act as a reserve shot stopper at Stamford Bridge.
The former England international, who has represented his country on 12 occasions, is unlikely to add to his 658 career appearances during his tenure under the reign of Maurizio Sarri.
2. Phil Bardsley
Phil Bardsley has featured in three of Burnley’s five Europa League qualification matches this season, but is yet to make a Premier League appearance.
The 33-year-old defender, who signed for the Clarets in July 2017, has over 250 English top flight combined appearances for the likes of Manchester United, Aston Villa, Sunderland, Stoke City and Burnley.
The English-born right back is a Scottish international and has represented his nation on 13 occasions.
1. Lee Grant
Manchester United signed Lee Grant on a two-year deal from Stoke City in this summer’s transfer window.
The 35-year-old shot stopper, who made just three Premier League appearance for the Potters last season in a campaign which saw them relegated to the Championship, made the switch to Old Trafford in a very surprising move.
Grant will act as third choice keeper for the Red Devils, with youngster Joel Pereira to be sent on loan to Portuguese side Vitoria to gain experience.