It’s a common phenomenon in football to see a young player burst onto the scene with immense talent, making fans and pundits alike predict a future of greatness.
However, predicting the trajectory of a footballer’s career is far from an exact science. Many players who seemed destined for stardom have struggled to reach the heights expected of them. This article delves into the careers of 10 such players who were once tipped to be world-class by now but haven’t quite lived up to those expectations.
10. Kalvin Phillips: The Midfield General Who Lost His Way
Kalvin Phillips was a key player for Leeds United, and his move to Manchester City was expected to elevate him to world-class status under Pep Guardiola. However, Phillips struggled to find his place in Guardiola’s system, and his career has since taken a downward turn. Loaned out to West Ham and Ipswich, Phillips is now further away from being a world-class player than when he first joined City.
9. Mason Mount: The Rise and Fall of a Midfield Maestro
Mason Mount was once seen as the future of England’s midfield, especially after his standout performances for Chelsea during their 2020-21 Champions League campaign. However, a difficult 2022-23 season saw him leave Chelsea, and he has since struggled to reach the heights he once promised. While still only 25, Mount has plenty of time to rediscover his form, but for now, he has not reached the world-class status many thought he would achieve by this age.
8. Renato Sanches: The Midfield Prodigy Who Never Fully Bloomed
Renato Sanches was one of the hottest prospects in world football when he burst onto the scene at Euro 2016, helping Portugal win the tournament and earning the Golden Boy award. A big move to Bayern Munich followed, but Sanches struggled to adapt and was loaned out multiple times. His career has since been marked by inconsistency, with stints at various clubs failing to reignite the spark that once made him a future star. At 27, Sanches is far from the world-class midfielder many expected him to be.
7. Ansu Fati: The Injuries That Stopped a Star
Ansu Fati was once seen as the heir to Lionel Messi at Barcelona. He broke records as the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history and the youngest player to score in the Champions League. However, a series of injuries have derailed his career, and Fati has struggled to regain his form since. While he still has time on his side, the trajectory that once pointed to world-class status has been severely hindered, and he now faces the daunting task of rebuilding his career.
6. Anthony Martial: The Teenage Wonderkid That Never Was
Anthony Martial was once the crown jewel of Monaco’s academy, winning the Golden Boy award at 19 and becoming the most expensive teenager in football history when he joined Manchester United. Monaco even believed he could win the Ballon d’Or, including a clause in his contract for a payout if he did so by 2019. However, Martial’s time at Manchester United has been marked by inconsistency and underperformance. Despite flashes of brilliance, he has never lived up to the potential he showed as a teenager and has failed to reach the world-class status once expected of him.
5. Jack Grealish: The Creative Talent Stifled by Success
Jack Grealish was the star of Aston Villa, and many believed that a move to a big club would elevate him to world-class status. However, since joining Manchester City for a record fee, Grealish’s career has taken a different turn. While he has won numerous trophies, his performances have not matched the expectations. Often criticized for losing his creativity under Pep Guardiola, Grealish has struggled to make a consistent impact at City. Now benched in favor of newer signings like Jérémy Doku, Grealish’s career trajectory is far from the world-beater status once predicted.
4. Matthijs de Ligt: The Fallen Defensive Prodigy
Matthijs de Ligt was once considered the future of defensive football. He captained Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals at just 19 years old and became the youngest captain in the club’s history. Juventus paid €75 million for him, making him one of the most expensive defenders ever. However, de Ligt’s career has not followed the trajectory many expected. His time at Juventus and Bayern Munich has been underwhelming, and he has yet to reach the world-class status anticipated when he first emerged as a teenage sensation.
3. João Félix: The Skillful Enigma
João Félix burst onto the scene as a teenager with Benfica, showcasing incredible skill, close control, and playmaking ability. His performances earned him the Golden Boy award in 2019, and Atlético Madrid made him the fourth-most expensive player in history. However, Félix’s career has not lived up to the lofty expectations. Despite his undeniable talent, he has struggled with consistency and has yet to establish himself as a top player at Atlético or any other club. Now 24, Félix’s future remains uncertain, and it’s clear that he has not become the world-class player many predicted.
2. Ousmane Dembélé: The Inconsistent Genius
Ousmane Dembélé is another player who was once compared to the likes of Kylian Mbappé. Back in 2017, Barcelona chose to sign Dembélé over Mbappé, believing he had a higher ceiling. While Dembélé’s talent is unquestionable—he can turn any game on its head with his dribbling and creativity—his inconsistency has prevented him from becoming the world-class player many expected him to be. His performances range from brilliant to abysmal, often leaving fans and coaches frustrated. Despite flashes of brilliance, such as being France’s best player in their Euro 2024 quarterfinal against Portugal, Dembélé’s career has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, leaving him far from the world-class status once predicted for him.
1. Mykhailo Mudryk: The Ukrainian Sensation That Never Took Off
Mykhailo Mudryk was once regarded as the next big thing in European football. At Shakhtar Donetsk, under the tutelage of Roberto De Zerbi, Mudryk put up some jaw-dropping performances, especially against heavyweights like Real Madrid in the Champions League. His 18 goal contributions in 20 appearances during the first half of the 2022-23 season, including 5 in 6 Champions League games, had Europe’s top clubs clamoring for his signature. Chelsea eventually won the race, making him the most expensive Ukrainian footballer of all time. However, since his move to the Premier League, Mudryk has struggled to replicate the form that made him a star in Ukraine. Despite his undeniable talent, his inconsistency and questionable decision-making on the pitch have left many wondering what went wrong.
Conclusion: The Unfulfilled Potential
The careers of these 10 players serve as a reminder of how unpredictable football can be. Despite their immense talent and early promise, various factors—ranging from injuries to inconsistency—have prevented them from reaching the world-class status many predicted for them. While some of these players still have time to turn things around, it’s clear that the journey to football stardom is fraught with challenges that even the most talented individuals can struggle to overcome.
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