10 ultra-talented teenage stars who have failed to live up to their potential
Brazilian duo Robinho and Pato have failed to shineThere is arguably nothing more exciting in the world of football than the prospect of the latest wonderkid. Visions of what those heralded youngsters may achieve will provide ample debate for fans across the globe and we love it when those predictions come true.However, for every prodigy who goes on to relaise his potential, there is another who fails to deal with the hype. Some might be potential world beaters that can only sustain an average career at best, whilst others will fall off the football radar completely.Here are 10 players who were unable to project themselves into the stratosphere that was once predicted.
#1 Jermaine Pennant
There once was a time when Jermaine Pennant was touted as the future of English football. Unfortunately, a combination of problems both on and off the field have prevented the talented winger from ever achieving any real standing in the game.
Pennant joined Arsenal for £2million in 1999, making him the then-record signing for an apprentice. At the tender age of 15, the winger had the entire world at his feet. But he chose to kick it away.
In 2005, Pennant was jailed for drink-and-driving and the ‘bad boy’ image has caused a hugely detrimental impact to his progress ever since. A number of loans away from Arsenal underlined the feeling that he was no longer wanted in North London and the winger eventually found himself at Birmingham City.
A promising spell at St Andrew’s sparked a move to Liverpool, but once again the former England U21 star failed to live up to expectations at a big club. A disappointing spell in Spain with Real Zaragoza lasted less than a year before Stoke City came calling, initially on loan before securing his services on a permanent basis in the summer of 2011.
Despite a promising start, however, Pennant soon fell down the pecking order and was eventually released in January 2014. After months of failing to find a club, the ex-Arsenal man joined Indian side FC Pune City for the inaugural Indian Super League campaign.
Now in the twilight of his career, it seems inevitable that Pennant will ultimately reflect on his career by ruing missed opportunities.