Five Premier League Wonderkids Who Failed To Live Up To Expectations (Part 8)

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3 years ago

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In part eight of our series looking at the starlets who never quite made the grade in the Premier League, we profile five more wonderkids who failed to live up to the hype.

There are a variety of reasons why young players struggle to reach their potential. Some simply didn’t have what it takes mentally to make it at the highest level, while others were blighted by injuries or other unfortunate circumstances.

In this list, there are a few players who were unable to make the step up to the top flight, despite clearly having the ability, as well as some who had to leave England to realise their ambitions.

Press the next page as we name five youngsters who did not meet expectations.

Emiliano Insua (Liverpool)

The Argentine was plucked from Boca Juniors’ youth team by Liverpool in 2007. He initially joined on an eighteen-month loan deal, with the Reds beating off a number of other European clubs to secure his signature.

Insua made the switch to Anfield permanent later the same year, but it took him a while to get into the first team. He became a regular starter in the 2009/10 season but he was criticised for his lack of pace. He was loaned out to Galatasaray in 2010 before making transfers to Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, Stuttgart, La Galaxy and Aldosivi.

Gael Kakuta (Chelsea)

The Frenchman was involved in a controversial transfer to Chelsea in 2009. The Blues were banned from making signings for two transfer windows after being found guilty of inducing the player to break his contract at Lens to make the switch to Stamford Bridge. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport lifted the ban after deciding Kakuta’s contract was invalid.

The effort to sign the winger really wasn’t worth it. He ended up playing just 16 games for the Blues as well as going out on loan to six different clubs. He eventually left for Sevilla in 2016 before having spells in China and France. Ironically, he is currently playing for Lens, on loan from Amiens.

Giuseppe Rossi (Manchester United)

The Italian was an excellent goalscorer but injuries curtailed the striker’s career. He didn’t manage to make his breakthrough at Old Trafford despite spending three seasons with United between 2004 and 2007.

However, Rossi did have a superb four years with Villarreal, which culminated in him scoring 32 goals in the 2010/11 season. Unfortunately, his last two seasons with the Yellow Submarine were hampered by fitness issues, and he returned to Italy, where he had one excellent campaign, scoring 17 goals for Fiorentina, before injuries caught up with him again. He is currently without a club after playing for Real Salt Lake in the 2020 MLS season.

Tom Ince (Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Hull and Huddersfield)

Much was expected of Paul Ince’s son when he made his breakthrough at Liverpool but he never really made an impact in the Premier League. A loan spell at Palace, as well as campaigns with Hull and Huddersfield in the top flight all fell flat.

The winger has performed well in the Championship at clubs like Blackpool and Derby County but he never quite made the grade at the highest level.

Kyle Naughton (Spurs, Norwich And Swansea)

The fullback was hot property after a breakthrough season at Sheffield United. He was snapped up by Tottenham in 2009 but never became a regular at White Hart Lane. He was more successful during a loan spell with Norwich and he eventually left permanently for Swansea in 2015.

Naughton did play regularly for the Welsh club but he didn’t really fulfil his potential, and he was relegated with the Swans in 2018. He is still playing for the club in the Championship.