John Heitinga intends to consider his Everton future in the summer if he continues to be left on the bench at Goodison Park.
The Holland international has been in and out of the Everton side in recent weeks and is unsure why he is not in David Moyes' first-choice line-up.
He believes he merits a place in Moyes' best XI, particularly after playing in the World Cup final against Spain last summer.
However, the 27-year-old will not rush into a decision over his future after being wanted by several clubs during the January transfer window.
"I have certainly not come here to sit on the bench," said Heitinga in the Sunday Mirror.
"Together with Phil Neville, I have more experience than all the others. I have played in four major national team tournaments and I have played the World Cup final.
"I don't want to moan. At the end of the day it is all down to me. Apart from not playing sometimes, I love it here in England.
"I am still aiming for big success here in England. Well, I have played 65 games in the Premier League in two seasons. That is a start.
"I hope being out is a temporary thing. I will decide in the summer what I will do."
He added: "It's strange for me to sit on the bench at Everton. I will always claim that I am the best central defender at this club - definitely since the World Cup.
"I could understand it if the manager leaves me out of the team when I make big mistakes. But right now I can't get over the last few weeks.
"The manager is not a big talker. Never has been. He does not explain his decisions to others either. He just says everybody will get playing time.
"I'm not worried about the future. My career is still going up. I can tell that by the massive clubs who came knocking on the door for me in the winter.
"One of them was so serious and so concrete. But I did not want to leave in the middle of a season. And Everton did not want to let me go.
"That was a good sign. I feel I can still become an important player here for the fans and the team."
