Wasted Talent

gimmick

Who in peoples opinion are players who could have been amazing, but never quite made it to the pinnacle of the game due to god awful attitudes?

One which always stands out glaring to me is José María Gutiérrez Hernández, better known to you and me as Guti for Real Madrid.

As a passer of the ball and a reader of the game, there are few better in the world than him, if any, when he wants to play the game.

For a player of his skill and undoubted quality, he only has 14 international caps to his name and has never played at an international tournament. Despite coming into the Real team a year later than Raul, he has played over 200 games less than him (721-511), and I read a stat recently (which I will have to dig up) that he has played less than half the amount of minutes for Real than Raul!

All this combined has me tearing my hair out about what could have been for him.

Xavi6

Joey Barton

The guy has all the ability and talent in the world but is a horrible individual.

Could've and should've been and England regular.

SlickRic

i have a feeling José Antonio Reyes will be one, if he's not already.

he has the potential to play for a top, top team. i've no idea why he hasn't, or why it didn't work out for him at Arsenal for instance. he seems to have most of the attributes necessary - pace, strong enough, an eye for goal.

Julio Baptista is another one. i reckon he could've potentially been a superstar.

Mr. Presentable

Adriano

Turning up to training drunk etc

Frisbee

SlickRic wrote: »

i have a feeling José Antonio Reyes will be one, if he's not already.

he has the potential to play for a top, top team. i've no idea why he hasn't, or why it didn't work out for him at Arsenal for instance. he seems to have most of the attributes necessary - pace, strong enough, an eye for goal.

He was the first person who came into my head. Was wasted at Real, awful at Benfica but seems to be getting his career back on track at Atletico now.

And he didn't make it at Arsenal as he was homesick.

dor83

Adriano, had the potential to be one of the best players in the world but has suffered big personal and mental problems that have ruined that imo.

Vanbis

Pablo Cesar Aimar - currently playing for Benfica.

Gaizka Mendieta - Moved from Valencia to Lazio for £30million and then to Middlesbrough and played many a reserve game for them :rolleyes:

karma_

Most obvious one I can think of is Robinho, he could be amazing but he just will not put the work in.

keane2097

Lee Sharpe looked like he was gonna be pretty awesome for a while...

pierrot

Paul Gascgoigne springs to mind immediately, so naturally gifted but so mentally weak.
Also, not sure if it counts as wasted talent, but Duncan Edwards would surely have gone down as a great if his life hadn't been cut short tragically.

PHB

Dean Ashton, due to injuries. But I think he coulda been a top 4 striker.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Lee Sharpe, from what I've seen of him on MUTV he looked fairly class.

JPA

Stan Collymore.

~Rebel~

Jermaine Pennant. Record youth fee transfer to Arsenal and just never had the dedication or work ethic needed to make the most of his talents.

Jay Bothroyd was another case similar to this. Sold from Arsenal at 18 due to his bad attitude and has never reached his potential. Just became a journeyman.

chopperbyrne

Riquelme.

He should still be playing at the top level of world football, but instead he just went back to Argentina.

The LoI in relation to the Irish national team. So many players deserved callups and would have put in so much more effort and had so much more pride than some of the players over the years.

iregk

Ricardo Quaresma.

Such sublime technique but just could not be arsed.

Same can be said for D'Allesando. Pure majestic on the ball but bog all interest.

pierrot

And myself, of course... such natural talent, grace on the ball, limited pace but extra yard in the head; all ruined by the youthful age of 16. Similarities with the Brazilian stars who threw their potential away for the sake of a good party...;)

Columbia

Andy Van Der Meyde.

Came to Everton with a big reputation, but his drinking problem led to personal and professional issues. He played 20 games in 4 years, was released near the end of last season and is currently on a 3-month contract with PSV Eindhoven.

Francis Jeffers.

He was scoring for fun (for his age) until Walter Smith, probably the worst manager Everton have ever had, dropped him for 6 months over a falling out. Eventually sold to Arsenal, but he never recovered his form from before those 6 months. Plays for Sheffield Wednesday now, and he's not scoring many.

~Rebel~

pierrot wrote: »

And myself, of course... such natural talent, grace on the ball, limited pace but extra yard in the head; all ruined by the youthful age of 16. Similarities with the Brazilian stars who threw their potential away for the sake of a good party...;)

Estie?



Also, to a point, Ronaldinho. Best player in the world before he let his lifestyle get the better of him.

Columbia wrote: »

Francis Jeffers.

Ah Franny Jeffers. For me, the very definition of the phrase "Form is temporary, but class is permanent".

Mitch Connor

had been thinking of putting a post together on this subject myself for a while actually.

Main reason being Lee Sharpe. I had a post in the United thread on him a while back

Mitch Connor wrote: »

On that sort of topic, i don't think any players career will ever disappoint me as much as Lee Sharpe's. Back in the mid early/mid 90's, he was excellent. It was arguable that at his best he was a match for Giggs at the time. It was also mooted, by Fergie, that he could have made an excellent left back if he had wanted to. He was quick, had good control and was a great crosser of the ball. I think it was 95/96 that he was a star for us on the left, scoring a good few important goals. Really liked him as a player and thought he had it all to be honest. Remeber him vs Barcelona in 93 or 94? He ran them ragged.

But then, we sold him and his career spiraled quickly downhill. Failed at Leeds, Sampdoria, Bradford, Pompey, Exceter and some part time Icelandic side. For me, his career down turn is far worse than Fortune's. Can't think of any worse to be honest with you, but there probably are some. Collymore is another fantastic waste of talent, but not a United related player.

As PHB Mentioned, Dean Ashton is a borrible one as well. If not for injuries I believe he would be a United player (United fan and a player we took a strong interest in according to reports) and be first choice for England. He showed such reat talent on occassion, the FA Cup final vs Liverpool where I felt he was outstanding being a match that sticks out in my mind. Injuries ruined him, it is such a shame.

Stan Collymore is another good shout. Naturally gifted and capable of doing it all.

Robbie Fowler is another I think is worth a shout. He was fantastic for most his time at Liverpool (before signing for Leeds) and throughout his career he maintained a quality goals per game ratio, but based on the talent he was as a young player, I think he could have been so much more. He should have been a player Liverpool could not afford to sell and England could not afford to be without.

Myabe Le Tissier too - a fantastic talent, capable of hitting the ball with amazing accuracy be it shooting or passing. Scored some of the best goals you will ever see in the premiership (vs the big teams too) but never really achieved anything. Had he had more determination and better fitness, more interest in being the best he could be, he could have been a truly amazing player.

How about Denilson? Worlds most expensive player at one point, but was it all hype based on some quick feet?

dor83

Álvaro Recoba, a truly gifted player who was also the most inconsistent player I have ever seen. He was once the highest paid player in world football, he had the ability and technique to be a great player but he just didn't have the mentality.

speedboatchase

Gianluigi Lentini?

Never even heard of the guy but he went to Milan in '93 for £13m and broke the transfer record. Didn't work out, drifted around a few clubs and ended up playing in Serie D, only 13 caps for Italy too.

Now obv I've never seen this guy play so maybe it was just a weird transfer but there must have been something there

Spiritoftheseventies

Xavi6 wrote: »

Joey Barton

The guy has all the ability and talent in the world but is a horrible individual.

Could've and should've been and England regular.

Best is the most obvious example. Was blessed with an abundance of talent but it all went pear shaped in the early seventies.
And then there was Paul Gasgoigne who should have achieved a lot more than he did.

Gillington

speedboatchase wrote: »

Gianluigi Lentini?

Never even heard of the guy but he went to Milan in '93 for £13m and broke the transfer record. Didn't work out, drifted around a few clubs and ended up playing in Serie D, only 13 caps for Italy too.

Now obv I've never seen this guy play so maybe it was just a weird transfer but there must have been something there

Ah yeah,but I reckon his car crash had some part of his downfall rather then just wasting talent

Xavi6

speedboatchase wrote: »

Gianluigi Lentini?

Never even heard of the guy but he went to Milan in '93 for £13m and broke the transfer record. Didn't work out, drifted around a few clubs and ended up playing in Serie D, only 13 caps for Italy too.

Now obv I've never seen this guy play so maybe it was just a weird transfer but there must have been something there

The horrific car crash he was involved in a year after signing for Milan may just have had something to do with it.

speedboatchase

Gillington wrote: »

Ah yeah,but I reckon his car crash had some part of his downfall rather then just wasting talent

Possibly, but from what I've been reading he fully recovered and was a bit rubbish for Milan before it

Spiritoftheseventies

keane2097 wrote: »

Lee Sharpe looked like he was gonna be pretty awesome for a while...

Himself and McManaman I felt never got the full maximum out of their careers when you consider they started out at roughly the same time as Giggs.

Ush1

iregk wrote: »

Ricardo Quaresma.

Such sublime technique but just could not be arsed.

Same can be said for D'Allesando. Pure majestic on the ball but bog all interest.

2 great shouts there.

Adriano is certainly another and Robinho is seeming to follow in his foot steps.

How bout Oliveira? All the assets to be a top striker but never disciplined enough.

flugel

Liverpool fan, so i'm going for Harry Kewell.

I know he played well while at leeds, but got his move to a big club and though injuries and loss of form never looked up for it. Think Liverpool are still waiting on a genuine attacking wide player to this day . . .

Spiritoftheseventies

flugel wrote: »

Liverpool fan, so i'm going for Harry Kewell.

I know he played well while at leeds, but got his move to a big club and though injuries and loss of form never looked up for it. Think Liverpool are still waiting on a genuine attacking wide player to this day . . .

His agent said he lost three years because his injuries weren't treated properly. As far as i know Pool employing the Australian doctor who eventually treated him back home.

~Rebel~

Mario Jardel, to a point. Had great success in Portugal and Turkey, but with better discipline could have been a world beater.

Still remember his fat arse waddling around Bolton.

bullpost

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Himself and McManaman I felt never got the full maximum out of their careers when you consider they started out at roughly the same time as Giggs.

I'd say McMenaman redeemed himself eventually though.

~Rebel~

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

His agent said he lost three years because his injuries weren't treated properly. As far as i know Pool employing the Australian doctor who eventually treated him back home.

That was all pretty untrue though, Kewell regularly returned to Australia for treatment, so if he was treated improperly, it was by the Australians.

Here's a source saying the same from when he was at Liverpool;
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/27/2200785.htm

Vanbis

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Mario Jardel, to a point. Had great success in Portugal and Turkey, but with better discipline could have been a world

Great goal scoring record alright. I think he had alot of personal problems at the time, always in and out of teams but always scored goals.

L'prof

David Bentley. He had the potential to be the next Beckham but, he realised this too soon and it turned him into a twat! He's a decent player but, he could have been great.

Vanbis

Rafael Van Der Vaart -

joe123

You could say Robbie Fowler. Brilliant as a youngster. Never clicked for him at international level. Houllier ruined him imo.

Says himself that he didnt fully appreciate what he had when he was younger and was only in his later years he realised it.

chopperbyrne

flugel wrote: »

Liverpool fan, so i'm going for Harry Kewell.

I know he played well while at leeds, but got his move to a big club and though injuries and loss of form never looked up for it. Think Liverpool are still waiting on a genuine attacking wide player to this day . . .

The arrogance of some supporters is truly hilarious.

GavRedKing

Seba Deisler - At one point was a very hot property and joined Bayern, had personal problems as well as a few injuries and it went pear shaped.

Edit : Also add Maxi Lopez - Barcelona - Was hailed as a new Batistuta and faded away after a few good games for Barcelona after a big transfer.

SlickRic

chopperbyrne wrote: »

The arrogance of some supporters is truly hilarious.

that was hardly arrogance.

leeds are a big club - good support base, steeped in history etc, but Liverpool was an established top 4 team with a brighter future than leeds ahead, with a bigger support base and an arguably greater history.

i think you read far too much into an innocent statement.

Kaizer Sosa

gavredking wrote: »

Seba Deisler - At one point was a very hot property and joined Bayern, had personal problems as well as a few injuries and it went pear shaped.

Edit : Also add Maxi Lopez - Barcelona - Was hailed as a new Batistuta and faded away after a few good games for Barcelona after a big transfer.

Maxi Lopez was a hype job. He was never going to be the next Batigol. Think he might have been good in Championship Manager at some point.

Deisler should have been class. Suffered from very bad depression and it really affected what should have been a very good career.

Definitely agree with whoever said Aimar. Fantastic player to watch and had all the gifts in the world to be an amazing player but never quite made it to the top. Loved watching that whole Valencia team. I'd also add Vicente. Was a sublime winger on his day but his body couldn't seem to stand up to the pace of football.

andyman

Steve Harper. Could well have been England No. 1 if he had any ambition other than to bench warm for Shay Given.

chopperbyrne

Forgot all about Aimar.

I remember watching him toy with Liverpool when they played Valencia one time.

Joaquin is another who had all the potential in the world, but never quite realised it.

Le King

Owen Hargreaves and injuries could be mentioned in this thread.

Such a class player.

DazMarz

Carlo Cudicini - One of the best ever 'keepers for Chelsea in the last 20 years, and should have left Chelsea the minute Cech arrived. He would have easily gotten into any other team in the Prem (possible exception would be Man United with VDS). Whatever about loyalty, he should have upped and left the moment Petr Cech arrived and he would have been playing regular 1st team football in any top flight team he would have wanted.

Not sure if this could count (as it is really through no fault of his own) but just think where Arjen Robben would be were it not for getting injured so often. I always loved him at Chelsea and really regret that he was sold, but his injuries have always been a major concern. If he was less injury prone, he'd be even more amazing.

Spiritoftheseventies

bullpost wrote: »

I'd say McMenaman redeemed himself eventually though.

McManaman was a fantastic talent but would have liked to see more of him really.

Vanbis

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Joaquin is another who had all the potential in the world, but never quite realised it.

he was great at Sociedad betis and then he moved to Valencia. It could have all be different had he moved to Chelsea when Mourinho was there.

Vicente is another as someone mentioned already.

invinciblePRSTV

SlickRic wrote: »

that was hardly arrogance.

leeds are a big club - good support base, steeped in history etc, but Liverpool was an established top 4 team with a brighter future than leeds ahead, with a bigger support base and an arguably greater history.

i think you read far too much into an innocent statement.

Leeds & Pool have many similarities in the characteristics you mentioned. Difference these days is that Leeds gambled and lost in the CL stakes, Pool haven't stumbled yet.

GLaDOS

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

McManaman was a fantastic talent but would have liked to see more of him really.

2 la ligas and 2 Champions leagues isn't too shabby in fairness.

chopperbyrne

DazMarz wrote: »

Not sure if this could count (as it is really through no fault of his own) but just think where Arjen Robben would be were it not for getting injured so often. I always loved him at Chelsea and really regret that he was sold, but his injuries have always been a major concern. If he was less injury prone, he'd be even more amazing.

He's at the biggest team in Germany and in the semi-final of the Champions League. I'd hardly say he counts. He played quite well at Real Madrid too.

Ush1

ScienceNerd wrote: »

2 la ligas and 2 Champions leagues isn't too shabby in fairness.

Yeah.

Aimar hardly flopped either:

Valencia:

• Spanish League: 2001–02, 2003–04
• UEFA Cup: 2003–04
• UEFA Super Cup: 2004
• UEFA Champions League: Runner-up 2000–01