[Football] Players who have maximised/wasted their natural ability

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

I think it best to leave out of the wasted talent list those with established or probable mental health issues (and I'd class alcoholism in with that).

Massive overachievers: At Brighton: in addition to those mentioned I'd add Peter O'Sullivan. At large, Craig Johnson at Liverpool. Managed to overcome permanent imposter syndrome by sheer hard work.

Wasted talent: At Brighton, Roderick Thomas. At large, Rodney Marsh

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

The most obvious player to me who maximised his talent was Glen Murray. Nowhere near technically gifted but knew where the back of the net was throughout his whole career.

Bit harsh. Technically I thought he was decent. It was pace that he lacked.

 

[warsaw]

Liam Bridcutt, MOM for Lincoln in the Div 1 playoff last night. Still producing his best after all this time

 

[blue-shifted]

Ian Chapman made the most of his talent.

Wholehearted, reliable, hard tackling, gave it simple, got up and down and left nothing on the pitch.

Manager's player

 

[Medwayseagull]

Abdul Razak springs to mind.

 

[US Seagull]

I was just recently watching a video about Freddy Adu. Now 31, he's just been released by Swedish third tier side Österlen FF.

It's sad really. He was hyped to the moon and everybody wanted a piece of him for their own benefit. Nobody did the things for him that he needed at the age he was when he first got noticed. He was rushed out, touted as the savior of US soccer and the MLS when he should have been given time to properly develop.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

No you just had an agenda against Locadia

I was right though apparently, same with Schelotto......

Won’t claim AJ, as at one point thought he would make it (at least hoped so).....

Ryan we both sussed some time ago.

 

[Hampster Gull]

Not sure I agree with Beckham. I take maximised potential to be players who weren't particularly good, weren't stand out players at any age but through sheer hard work carved out a decent career for themselves. Someone like Oh Gary Hart.

I don't think Beckham fits that category. He undeniably worked his arse off but he was starting from a position of being a very talented player.

If Beckham is fair then I reckon you can chuck in any number of top level players. Lampard? Gerrard? Neville(both)?

Ronaldo too. He went from being a talented showboating winger to an absolute beast of a player for over a decade, one of the all time greats.

Sure but that frames the question slightly differently by excluding those who reached a certain level. That line could be drawn anywhere, including above or below the level of performance of OGH. Not that it matters all too much

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Sure but that frames the question slightly differently by excluding those who reached a certain level. That line could be drawn anywhere, including above or below the level of performance of OGH. Not that it matters all too much

What?!

there's a couple of threads in the past 24 hours that would do well to remember that!

On the flip side I want to chuck Ronaldinho into the mix. He was a player that gave the impression he was ALL talent, no effort.

 

[amexer]

Dan Burn not blessed with loads of technical ability but gets 100% of what he has,
He has made a good living so perhaps not fair to say Foster Caskey as one who didnt make most of what he had,, However had so much ability when young but as soon as he got in first team spent his time in centre circle making 2 yard passes. Could have done so much better. I am hopping Alzate doesnt go down same route.

 

[Swansman]

I was just recently watching a video about Freddy Adu. Now 31, he's just been released by Swedish third tier side Österlen FF.

It's sad really. He was hyped to the moon and everybody wanted a piece of him for their own benefit. Nobody did the things for him that he needed at the age he was when he first got noticed. He was rushed out, touted as the savior of US soccer and the MLS when he should have been given time to properly develop.

Came here, spent a month being lazy, coach told him to **** off... their glorious PR signing ended as imagined.