Top Israeli Premier League Stars Stuck on the Bench

Five rounds into the Israeli Premier League season, the team hierarchies are becoming clear. The demotion of Yarden Shua to a bench player, having started only once this season, has drawn significant attention. However, he is not the only quality player in this situation. Ahead of the league's return from a break, a lineup of the best bench players in the league has been assembled to illustrate their potential quality. The criteria for inclusion are that players must have been fit for the first five games, started a maximum of once, and played no more than 150 minutes. The goal is to identify players not receiving professional consideration, whose combined talents could form a strong team.

At right-back, Shahar Piven has played 118 minutes and started once for Hapoel Tel Aviv. Despite a contract extension until 2028, Piven is currently a bench player, unable to break into the team's stable defense, though he could reportedly help many other league teams.

The central defense features Noam Steifman, with 125 minutes and one start. Despite trust shown in the previous season's upper playoff, Maccabi Haifa has added two foreign defenders, pushing Steifman down the pecking order. He started the last game before the break and hopes for more opportunities.

Matan Baltaxa, a defender with 136 minutes and one start, has been a long-time bench player for Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He managed to keep a clean sheet in opportunities against Víkingur and Red Star Belgrade and remains in Ran Kochav's rotation, considered a quality player for the league.

Left-back Ofir Davidzada has played 44 minutes with no starts. Despite a significant goal in Hapoel Be'er Sheva's championship win, at 35, his peak appears to be behind him, and he has seen limited minutes this season.

Defensive midfielder Dan Glazer has played 47 minutes with no starts for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Despite recent Champions League experience, he's barely played this season, with Issouf Sissoko's impressive form leaving him with no chance for a starting spot.

Central midfielders include Itamar Noy (122 minutes, one start) and Ziv Ben Shimol (83 minutes, one start). Noy is a victim of Maccabi Tel Aviv's midfield depth, while Ben Shimol is behind others in Beitar Jerusalem's midfield, hoping for more chances later in the season.

On the right wing is Yair Mardachi, with 87 minutes and one start. After a strong season with Ironi Kiryat Shmona, his move to Maccabi Haifa has not resulted in playing time, especially with the arrival of Pedro Brazão.

Left winger Yarden Shua, the catalyst for this article, has played 145 minutes and started once. His saga has occupied Israeli football, having been substituted early in his only start. He is expected to find his place in the lineup later in the season.

Striker Daniel Dapa, who cost 2 million euros, has played 143 minutes and started once for Hapoel Tel Aviv. Despite criticism of Emmanuel Boateng, Dapa, who just turned 19, is still fighting for a starting position, with his future ahead of him.

It is evident that many quality players are sitting on the bench for extended periods. The criteria excluded foreign players, who are generally brought in to start. Such a hypothetical team would likely compete for a playoff spot, and some players might find renewed success at their current clubs or elsewhere.