25 Most Disappointing Young Guns Failing to Live Up to the Hype
Not every young gun develops into a world-class player like Paul Pogba, so here are the 25 most disappointing prospects in world football, who are failing to live up to the hype.
Criteria
- Prospect must be 21 years or younger.
- The list will be subjectively ranked via a combination of how hyped a prospect is and the degree the prospect has struggled to live up to expectations.
Long-List Cuts
- Andy Polo
- Betinho
- David Moberg Karlsson
- Giorgi Chanturia
- John Lundstram
25. Ravel Morrison
1 of 25
West Ham United's English central attacking midfielder Ravel Morrison, 21, was the best 14-year-old Sir Alex Ferguson saw at Manchester United, according to former United stalwart Rio Ferdinand.
"My old boss [Ferguson] said 'Have a look at this boy [Morrison].' He was taking the mick out of everyone on the pitch when he was 14," Ferdinand said, per BT Sport (h/t ESPN). "The manager thought he was the best player he had seen at that age."
Even after training with the United first team at 16 years of age, Morrison could not see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"Off-field indiscretions may have convinced Ferguson that Morrison needed to leave Manchester United," per Alec Shilton at The Times.
While Morrison has flashed world-class ability, like an amazing solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur, he still continues to frustrate.
Loaned out to Cardiff City, if he does not impress, he would have failed to convince West Ham he is worth the trouble.
This means he could be in for a nomadic career.
24. Bryan Rabello
2 of 25
Sevilla's Chilean central attacking midfielder Bryan Rabello, 20, is a fantastic talent, but he has been a flop in Spain.
Granted, his cameo appearances for Sevilla came at irregular intervals, he still failed to score or create a goal in 527 minutes of combined La Liga and UEFA Europa League playing time.
Being loaned out to Luzern in the Swiss Super League, ranked the 11th-best league in Europe, tells you the bar has been lowered for Rabello.
Though, the talent is there because he was identified by FIFA as a key player at the 2013 U20 World Cup, per FIFA's official website: "Attacking midfielder with excellent technique, good vision and the ability to change the pace of the game."
23. Ante Rebic
3 of 25
Fiorentina's Croatian centre-forward Ante Rebic, 21, faces an uncertain future despite possessing elite upside.
Khouma Babacar is putting forward a case to be Fiorentina's future No. 9 while Rebic's development is stagnating.
Loaned out to RB Leipzig, Rebic has been on the outside looking in.
22. Massadio Haidara
4 of 25
Newcastle United's French left-back Massadio Haidara, 21, is a tough tackler who impressed at Nancy. But he has largely been a bystander in the Premier League.
Entering his third season at Newcastle, he has played a combined 823 minutes in league play, 635 minutes less than his final season at Nancy (1,458).
If he cannot beat out Paul Dummett for a regular starting position, then Haidara should consider returning to Ligue 1 where he can rebuild his career.
21. Adryan
5 of 25
Flamengo's Brazilian centre-forward Adryan, 20, had the world at his feet when he toyed with opposing defenders at the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup.
Scoring five times and creating two goals, he was recognised as an outstanding player for Brazil, per FIFA's official website: "Dangerous attacker with good dribbling skills and excellent technique."
However, Adryan has yet to make the transition to senior football after a nondescript loan spell at Cagliari.
He is currently 639 minutes and counting without a goal in league play.
Loaned out to Leeds United, his match fitness levels are still low, according to Leeds manager Darko Milanic.
"I think he's [Adryan is] not prepared to play 40 games in the Championship now, not at this moment. He needs time," Milanic said, per Phil Hay at the Yorkshire Evening Post. "I don't want to put too much pressure on him."
20. Branimir Hrgota
6 of 25
Borussia Monchengladbach's Swedish centre-forward Branimir Hrgota, 21, scored a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Mainz last May, but he has been idle most of the time he has played in the Bundesliga.
Two league goals in 871 minutes since last season proves he has failed to live up to his wunderkind tag.
Being the backup to a world-class strike force of Max Kruse and Raffael has also contributed to Hrgota's predicament.
19. M'Baye Niang
7 of 25
AC Milan's French centre/right-forward M'Baye Niang, 19, is a lethal attacker, but he could be an early bloomer.
He is on a 30-game run without a goal in Serie A. When he was loaned out to Montpellier last season, he was unconvincing, scoring four goals in 1,307 minutes of Ligue 1 play.
He has yet to start a league game for Milan this season.
18. Ryo Miyaichi
8 of 25
Arsenal's Japanese left-winger Ryo Miyaichi, 21, has never been offered an extended starting run at the Gunners since being signed in 2011.
He has only played 17 minutes in the Premier League under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
Loaned out to Twente, he is still finding his feet, which is a concern because he has played in the Eredivisie before (Feyenoord; 2010-11 season).
17. Connor Wickham
9 of 25
Sunderland's English centre-forward/left-winger Connor Wickham, 21, is still the same player that was named UEFA's Golden Player of 2010.
Wickham has a career in the Championship, but whether or not he can be an elite Premier League No. 9 remains to be seen.
This is why he has received playing time on the left wing, but his shoot-first mentality means he is not a viable creative outlet.
16. Sani Emmanuel
10 of 25
Free-agent Nigerian centre-forward Sani Emmanuel, 21, was the top of his age group when he received the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup Golden Ball.
Now he is looking for employment and according to Transfermarkt, no club has signed him to a permanent contract yet.
In hindsight, he should have signed for an Eredivisie or Belgian Pro League club which would have given him more of a chance to break into the first XI, rather than being on the books of Serie A club Lazio.
15. Josh McEachran
11 of 25
Chelsea's English central midfielder Josh McEachran, 21, has been one to watch since he made his debut for the England U16s as a 14-year-old.
Yes, he is skilful, a magnificent passer and an intuitive footballer.
But he is not assertive enough, hence why he has been on the periphery throughout his entire professional career.
Remember, he has not even entered Samuele Dalla Bona [1] territory, so perhaps McEachran is not all that.
Loaned out to Vitesse, McEachran was demoted to Jong Vitesse (reserve team).
[1] Dalla Bona was a rising star at Chelsea, but was lured back to native Italy. He pinpoints his decision as a factor why his career slumped, per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Ben Gladwell at ESPN FC).
14. Vitinho
12 of 25
CSKA Moscow left attacking midfielder Vitinho, 21, was lambasted by Botafogo fans when he elected to sign with the Russian Premier League club.
According to his wife, "it was an opportunity that he couldn't pass up," per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN FC).
It is a financially lucrative deal for Vitinho, but does he enjoy being a bench warmer/impact sub?
No, since he averages 25.4 minutes a game when he plays this season.
13. Nicolas Lopez
13 of 25
Udinese's Uruguayan deep-lying forward/right-forward Nicolas Lopez, 21, was a misfit at Roma even though he was one of the highly touted youth prospects in recent memory.
He was a bit-part player at Udinese playing more games as a substitute (14) than as a starter (seven) last season.
Loaned out to Hellas Verona, Lopez flashed a moment of brilliance with a goal against AC Milan.
That type of play is expected from him on a more regular basis, which he has yet to deliver (four goals in his last three Serie A seasons).
12. Viktor Fischer
14 of 25
Ajax's Danish left-forward Viktor Fischer, 20, had struggled with form prior to tearing his hamstring.
After a breakout 2012-13 Eredivisie season, he only scored three league goals from 63 shots the following season.
Fischer faces an uphill task of transitioning into an elite footballer as questions are raised regarding his durability and his consistency.
11. Mitchell Weiser
15 of 25
Bayern Munich's German right-back/right-winger Mitchell Weiser, 20, was described as "quick off the mark" by FIFA's technical study group during the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup.
If anything, Weiser's progress at Bayern has been slow.
Sure, being on Bayern's squad list is an achievement, but his development would have been quicker if he stayed at Koln, where he would have been entering his third season as a week in, week out starter.
Loaned out to Kaiserslautern, Weiser's long-term future at Bayern is up in the air.
10. Nick Powell
16 of 25
Manchester United's English central midfielder/deep-lying forward Nick Powell, 20, is Paul Scholes' successor, according to former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Powell is going to be a really good player who, we hope, will fill Paul Scholes' boots," Ferguson said, per MUTV (h/t Jamie Jackson at The Guardian)."He's [Powell has] got terrific vision, good temperament, two great feet, is quick and is a great striker of the ball."
Powell's 12 goals on loan at Wigan Athletic last season reinforce his credentials up front, but Ferguson's testament gives you an insight into the all-round playing style of the 20-year-old.
On loan at Leicester City this season, Powell might be spending the season watching the first team.
He has no chance of getting a game up front unless Leonardo Ulloa and David Nugent suffer long-term injuries.
In midfield, if Andy King—a gifted Welsh ball-playing midfielder—is left on the bench, then Powell's chances will come sparingly.
9. Jose Campana
17 of 25
Sampdoria's Spanish central midfielder Jose Campana, 21, is one of the purest passers in the game.
He can complete every pass in the book and can alternate from keeping the ball Tiki-taka style to making more incisive passes.
Yet, Campana's career is bizarre: Role player at Sevilla, failed to make it at Crystal Palace, loaned out to Nurnberg, signed by Sampdoria, and then loaned out to Porto.
He needs stability in his career if he is to ever maximise his elite talent.
8. Tomas Kalas
18 of 25
Chelsea's Czech Republic centre-back/right-back Tomas Kalas, 21, cost €6.6/£5.2 million as a 17-year-old.
Expected to be a regular on loan at Koln, Kalas has spent the season starting and finishing games on the bench.
If Chelsea included an option to recall Kalas, the Blues should activate the clause, and then loan him out to a Championship club.
7. Bruma
19 of 25
Galatasaray's Portuguese left attacking midfielder Bruma, 19, was a star at youth level. Though, his move to Turkey raised eyebrows.
It has not been smooth sailing at Galatasaray and he would have been better served establishing himself as a starter at Sporting Lisbon.
The Turkish club have even considered cutting their losses as they grow frustrated with Bruma, per Bugun (h/t Alex Harris at the Daily Express).
6. Souleymane Coulibaly
20 of 25Bari's Ivorian centre-forward Souleymane Coulibaly, 19, came with massive hype after scoring nine goals at the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup.
Yet, he had three wasted years at Tottenham Hotspur.
Why sign for a Premier League team when he was raised in the Italian system?
He is currently on loan at Pistoiese, a team that play in Italy's equivalent of League One.
5. Matija Nastasic
21 of 25
Manchester City's Serbian centre-back Matija Nastasic, 21, had one solid season.
Since then injuries and an inability to dominate opposing centre-forwards has seen him reduced to being a backup.
The signing of Eliaquim Mangala indicates City's management do not believe Nastasic can develop into a world-class centre-back.
4. Jan Oblak
22 of 25
Atletico Madrid's Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak, 21, has time on his side.
However, his early start at Atleti has been rough having lost out to Miguel Angel Moya for the No. 1 role.
It is an ominous sign because Atleti welcomed Thibaut Courtois into the starting XI, while Oblak—the most expensive goalkeeper in La Liga history—has to wait.
3. Lazar Markovic
23 of 25
Liverpool's Serbian right attacking midfielder Lazar Markovic, 20, does not look like a €25.2/£20 million-valued player, even though he impressed so much at Benfica.
Markovic has had seven unsuccessful touches and been dispossessed of the ball seven times in his first four Premier League games.
He has been a liability on the field which is a red flag.
To those saying he needs time, then why spend £20 million on him when he is soft, his touch has been off and he is making no impact for Liverpool?
He must up his game.
2. Paulo Dybala
24 of 25
Palermo's Argentine centre-forward Paulo Dybala, 20, has yet to vindicate the "new Sergio Aguero" tag.
Failing to score 15 league goals or more in a season for Palermo, Dybala is a serviceable No. 9, but is he an elite prospect? No.
That said, maybe he is a late-bloomer i.e. Diego Costa.
1. Adrien Rabiot
25 of 25
Paris Saint-Germain's French central midfielder Adrien Rabiot, 19, is overrating his ability.
This is not a Paul Pogba situation as he never received an extended starting run at Manchester United, whereas Rabiot has played 30 Ligue 1 games for PSG.
Sure, Rabiot has world-class potential because he has a complete playing style.
Though, his attitude is so off-putting, especially when he has not proven anything.
It is OK if you are emotionally fragile and high-maintenance if you are a superstar. But, Rabiot has been distinctively average when he has played for PSG.
It would be a shame if he ended up being another Stephane Dalmat.
Statistics via WhoScored
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