Wonder Kid Flops - How will Nick Powell fare?

Francis Jeffers, Freddy Adu, Le Tallec/Sinama Pongolle - there have been far too many young players so hyped up as teenagers that have not met expectations later in their careers.

This article explores whether Nick Powell will do the same or whether he'll develop under Sir Alex. It also lists 5 of the top wonder kid flops, some you'll have heard of and others (Sonny Pike anyone?) who have well and truly fallen off the football radar.

Let me know if there's any key ones I've missed !

http://blog.oddslife.com/2012/07/5-wonder-kid-flops-how-will-nick-powell-get-on/

Sergio Canales...

Off the top: Kerlon (seal dribble), Lulinha, and maybe even Keirrison. Brazil has too many footballers, theyre bound to have some duds.

Kerlon epitomizes a career ruined by injuries.

Is Robinho considered a flop given the hype he had around him at Santos?

Keirrison

BiasedMilanFan3 wrote:Kerlon epitomizes a career ruined by injuries.

Is Robinho considered a flop given the hype he had around him at Santos?

i dont think so, he did enough at madrid his mistake was going to mancity, and he has done well at milan

Gago?

Portillo, Bojinov, Saviola and Gourcuff.

Kakuta looks to be heading the same way.

Other names that come to mind from a few years back are former Barca man Efrain Juarez, Alberto Paloschi, Jozy Altidore, and Ransford Osei. I'm not saying that these guys are bad players, but they all, at one time or another, were hyped up much more than what their accomplishments would acknowledge. Plus many players like the so-called "flops" also put in amazing performances in major tournaments for their age groups but then fail to consistently perform at that level for whatever reason. This over-hyping happens just too much.

Now Oscar, I love the few games that I've watched from him lately (both club and NT) and going to a big club might be just what he needs to improve at such a developmental age for him. He has every chance to be big but I feel that with the little we have seen him as far as playing time, he is a bit overhyped on this forum. Skilled, no doubt and his potential is through the roof but I just don't feel like we have seen enough for the hype that he has here, and even I've posted videos of him. He will be interesting to follow.

David Bentley

Oh, hold on. Forgot Gai Assulin.

Alberto Paloschi was never really a wonderkid. He just an insane, insane debut.

Keirrison is a good one

Giovanni Dos Santos

Denilson.

And Ganso in the future...

BiasedMilanFan3 wrote:Alberto Paloschi was never really a wonderkid. He just an insane, insane debut.

Keirrison is a good one

Paloschi did get a fair amount of hype at the time, at least according to friends of mine who followed Serie A more than I do. But Keirrison was someone that I really hoped would take off, to have a cantera-grown pure striker, K9 as he was known for some time. I just don't think he'll ever play for Barca again. It's as if in every story you read about him, Keirrison and Barca just drifted further and further apart. He's still in Brazil ATM however.

barca2011 wrote:Paloschi did get a fair amount of hype at the time, at least according to friends of mine who followed Serie A more than I do.

There's nothing special about Paloschi honestly..

Surag wrote:

barca2011 wrote:Paloschi did get a fair amount of hype at the time, at least according to friends of mine who followed Serie A more than I do.

There's nothing special about Paloschi honestly..

Well we know that now of course, but 2-3 years ago I heard more than a few ppl hype him up. It's the only reason I mentioned him. Wouldn't be surprised if some haven't even heard of him.

Bojan Krkic beats them all, he's still young though, he has time too reverse his fortunes.

Breno.

I mean, there are other kids who might have not lived up to their potential, maybe becoming average players.

But to actually be serving jail time before 25? Emperor of Flops, IMO.

Bojan

bebe'

Gai Assulin and Kerrison for Barca

Freddy Adu.

Gai Assulin going down to Segunda B with Herculés