Players that wasted their talents

[Spike 12,049]

For every van Persie, RVN, etc, there's an Afonso Aves or a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Huntelaar scored 48 goals this season, his best yet.

[Jype 6,398]

For every van Persie, RVN, etc, there's an Afonso Aves or a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, top scorer in the Bundesliga this season you mean?

[capriccioso 2,545]

He's suited to being the big fish in a small pond. He was much poorer at Real Madrid and AC Milan. It's all fun and games smashing in 50 a season with teams like Schalke or Ajax, but essentially it's worthless if you can't do it at a proper big club.

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

He's suited to being the big fish in a small pond. He was much poorer at Real Madrid and AC Milan. It's all fun and games smashing in 50 a season with teams like Schalke or Ajax, but essentially it's worthless if you can't do it at a proper big club.

Kalou-esque then?

[capriccioso 2,545]

Kalou-esque then?

Yes, I already said that many attackers find it far easier in the Netherlands than other leagues. Which is strange. I'll just assume that Dutch defenders are horrible.

Speaking of Dutch defenders, that Ryan Donk guy was meant to be the next Jaap Stam or something. He had a great 05-07 period and Barcelona were in for him at one point.

[Strike 7,217]

Balotelli, Bendtner, Ronaldinho, Cassano, Diouf.

Ronaldinho?

He was brilliant. no one incorporated skill moves into real gameplay and still turned out to be world class. he was the sole reason for barca dominance pre-messi. the team was nowhere near him then

[Liquidator 5,176]

Louis Saha. If it weren't for injuries I think he could have been one of the best strikers in the Premier League

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

There's plenty unfortunately. A few that spring to mind are Denilson (The Betis one) ,Adriano and who can forget:

[bababoom 4,478]

Making jokes is what I do, I'm a wiseguy and smartass. Without that I'm nothing. Without humour, I have no defence.

Very modest...

[DDA 9,690]

Adu

[Kostas 1,468]

Has to me Ronaldinho for me too. He had twice the natural talent of anyone I've seen bar Zidane (although he was more gifted than him too) and should have been football's poster boy for a decade. 3 years of being the best is nowhere near what he could have achieved.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Giovani Dos Santos.

Well now that Harry is gone, let's see what he can do!

[Superblue 6,370]

It seems a common trait amongst attacking Brazilian players over the last 15-20 years that they fizzle out by the time they're about 27/28. When you see the longevity of other players you can't help but feel these players could have achieved more.

Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka all were the greatest players in the world at one stage but all were shadows of their former selfs before even reaching 30. Edmundo, Adriano, Fred, Luis Fabiano, the list goes on...

Also have to think about Essien in this subject. Serious injuries spread out over the last four seasons have robbed him of what should have been the peak years of his career. He should still be considered the best box to box midfielder in world football if it weren't for injuries. Essien five years ago was a lot better than Yaya Toure is now IMO.

[Superblue 6,370]

Has to me Ronaldinho for me too. He had twice the natural talent of anyone I've seen bar Zidane (although he was more gifted than him too) and should have been football's poster boy for a decade. 3 years of being the best is nowhere near what he could have achieved.

Ronaldinho had more natural talent than Messi or Ronaldo. Look at what those two have achieved through dedicating themselves to football, and are both still in their mid 20's.

Ronaldinho could still be one of the best now if he applied himself properly in the past.

[capriccioso 2,545]

It seems a common trait amongst attacking Brazilian players over the last 15-20 years that they fizzle out by the time they're about 27/28. When you see the longevity of other players you can't help but feel these players could have achieved more.

Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka all were the greatest players in the world at one stage but all were shadows of their former selfs before even reaching 30. Edmundo, Adriano, Fred, Luis Fabiano, the list goes on...

Also have to think about Essien in this subject. Serious injuries spread out over the last four seasons have robbed him of what should have been the peak years of his career. He should still be considered the best box to box midfielder in world football if it weren't for injuries. Essien five years ago was a lot better than Yaya Toure is now IMO.

You forget Mario Jardel, in that list of Brazilian's that went rubbish after hitting 30. Perhaps even Maicon should get a look in.

Javier Saviola has had an awful career if you compare it to the predictions for him. Next Maradona and all that, Pele had him in that FIFA 100 list (which was ridiculously shit, but still, he was the youngest man on that list). Now he's turning poor performances out for Benfica and according to Football Manager is a free agent soon.

[capriccioso 2,545]

After consulting with Shane, Aiden McGeady deserves a mention.

[Spike 12,049]

You forget Mario Jardel, in that list of Brazilian's that went rubbish after hitting 30. Perhaps even Maicon should get a look in.

Javier Saviola has had an awful career if you compare it to the predictions for him. Next Maradona and all that, Pele had him in that FIFA 100 list (which was ridiculously shit, but still, he was the youngest man on that list). Now he's turning poor performances out for Benfica and according to Football Manager is a free agent soon.

Maicon is still very good. I hate that people think because he had one bad game against Gareth Bale all of his games have been bad since.

[capriccioso 2,545]

2 bad games.