I have seen the same statement over and over on football boards over the years.
"X player can do better than X team"
What does that mean? It's an absurd contradiction of a statement.
If X player is in the EPL, playing on the worst team in that league...he is not playing his own team. He is playing Man U, Man City, Liverpool...etc.
He is displaying his talents against the best, in front of the wealthiest, most well coached clubs in the world (IMO).
Further, if a player exhibits consistent quality, and performance on some of the lower rung teams, it will only be highlighted more. Thus, he will probably get MORE pitch time.
"Can do better' is a complete non-starter. Getting in that league should be the goal.