Players Who "Could Have Been"

[Slight_Return]

I've ranted about him way too many times but Landon Donovan is an obvious choise. Lacks heart and hates football. He should be entering his prime and on short lists for FIFA player of the year instead of the Honda player of the year. Well he's on Bayern now so maybe there is still time.

Freddy Adu is another one. He's a natural on the wing but thinks he's playmaking CM like Kaka. Doesn't play much for Monaco and hasn't scored yet. Only scored 2 at Benfica last year. I thought he finally got it when he was on the wing at the U-19 WC where he was arguably the best player there, but it only served to stroke he ego even more.


Also why is it that if you stay on a "small" club you are wasting your talent? LeTisser on say big club is just another guy who would most likely have to defer to another. Look at Tevez, he was the man on West Ham, he took free kicks, scored goals and was the main playmaker. Now look at him he's just a decent goal poacher who maybe gets 5 touches a game if he even gets in.

If there is one good thing about American sports, its that the stars are spread out across the league so they have a chance to showcase their abilites.

The sheer thirst of the american machine to find, promote and then exploit 'the great american hope' (in football terms) means any kid with a bit of talent and possibility gets 'too much too soon'.

Let them master the game first before allowing money and fame to master them.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Guess such a thread wouldn't be complete without Duncan Edwards?

You don't mean Sasha Mijailovic do you?

And yes That was one big Dunc who should be on the list.

Nice one for the link

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Every country is obviously plagued with these names. Most of which will be meaningless to any foreigner. I imagine some Brazilian or Argentine old timers could tell us a tale or two.
English players who I remember include..

Frank Worthington
Tony Curry
Rod Marsh
Alan Hudson
Terry Curran. Remember that loan spell before we bought what must have been his twin brother.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned him, but Ivan de la Pena looked a super player when he burst onto the scene at Barca. Then he went to Lazio and his career stalled. He's done well at Espanol but probably hasn't reached the heights he could have done.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

When I first arrived in Spain, the golden boy of Spanish football was a then 18 year old at Bilbao called Julen Guerrero. He stayed at Bilbao all his carreer and retired a couple of seasons ago. Reminded me of Karl Heinz Rummenigge. Attacking midfielder who could do just about everything. When he was a 19 year old, I watched him score 4 goals in a 7-1 win over Sporting Gijon. In the following years became a talismanic figure for Athletic. Helping them into the Uefa and the CL after a second place finish in their centenary year 1998. Regular in the national team, offers were coming in continually from the usual suspects (Madrid, Barca, Juventus), but both club and player continually knocked them back. Who knows what would have happened if he'd moved. The fact is, his form dropped as he should have been approaching his peak, injuries started to take the edge off his pace and the goals dried up. Some spoke of a serious health problem for his wife, but there was no public mention (admirable on his part if it were true as he never looked for excuses). Apart from his ability, he had the looks and charisma to have rivalled Beckham. When he retired he was given a job in charge of the youth set up at Bilbao. Unfortunately the new president has dismissed him.

 

[TX Bill]

When I first arrived in Spain, the golden boy of Spanish football was a then 18 year old at Bilbao called Julen Guerrero. He stayed at Bilbao all his carreer and retired a couple of seasons ago. Reminded me of Karl Heinz Rummenigge. Attacking midfielder who could do just about everything. When he was a 19 year old, I watched him score 4 goals in a 7-1 win over Sporting Gijon. In the following years became a talismanic figure for Athletic. Helping them into the Uefa and the CL after a second place finish in their centenary year 1998. Regular in the national team, offers were coming in continually from the usual suspects (Madrid, Barca, Juventus), but both club and player continually knocked them back. Who knows what would have happened if he'd moved. The fact is, his form dropped as he should have been approaching his peak, injuries started to take the edge off his pace and the goals dried up. Some spoke of a serious health problem for his wife, but there was no public mention (admirable on his part if it were true as he never looked for excuses). Apart from his ability, he had the looks and charisma to have rivalled Beckham. When he retired he was given a job in charge of the youth set up at Bilbao. Unfortunately the new president has dismissed him.

I hadn't heard of him but good story nonetheless.