‘Unfulfilled potential XI’ consists of two Arsenal heroes who may’ve been greats

Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole have picked their wasted potential XI – together with former Arsenal and Liverpool stars.

The TNT Sports pundits named the staff ‘Unfulfilled FC’, made up of gamers who did not reside as much as their early promise. Many younger gamers are tipped for greatness however do not fairly make it, typically attributable to accidents, an absence of focus or simply plain unhealthy luck.

Jack Wilshere, an Arsenal academy graduate, was one of many English gamers named within the XI as he did not attain the heights anticipated of him, primarily attributable to health points. Former Liverpool man Chris Kirkland was chosen because the goalkeeper after his profession at Anfield was hampered by a collection of accidents, through the Mirror.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker kicks off to Micah Richards over Sky Sports characteristic he ‘does not perceive’

READ MORE: PSG plot £80m Marcus Rashford bid – and would supply Man Utd ace £500k-a-week

Ledley King and Micah Richards made up half of the again 4. Injury-plagued King, a Tottenham legend, was praised for his expertise all through his profession. Richards gained a Premier League title with Manchester City however retired at 31 attributable to damage issues. Jorge Andrade and Royston Drenthe accomplished the again 4.

Drenthe began his profession brightly at Feyenoord and was named the very best participant on the U21 Euros in 2007. A transfer to Real M adrid adopted, however his profession shortly went downhill, including him to the record of gamers who did not fulfil their potential.

Who could be in your wasted potential XI? Tell us within the feedback part beneath



Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby have been each tipped for enormous issues at Arsenal
(Image: No credit score)

In the center of the park, Wilshere groups up along with his outdated Arsenal team-mate Abou Diaby, one other participant whose profession was marred by damage. Adel Taarabt, who performed for QPR and Spurs, and Andres D’Alessandro are out vast.

Up entrance, Mario Balotelli was named as one of many strikers. The maverick Italian, who starred at Euro 2012, performed for a few of the greatest golf equipment in Europe, together with each Milan sides, Manchester City and Liverpool, however didn’t persistently reside as much as his potential. The different striker is Brazilian Adriano, previously of Inter Milan.



Mario Balotelli along with his iconic celebration after scoring in a Manchester derby
(Image: Man Utd through Getty Images)
This article comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it.
Learn extra
Watch the Champions League right here
Catch each minute of the Champions League 2023/2024

TNT is the one place you possibly can watch all of the motion from the Champions League this 12 months. You can see each recreation from the group stage proper via to the ultimate as Manchester City look to defend their crown as the latest kings of the World’s greatest and greatest soccer event.

£29.99 a month


TNT Sports

Ferdinand stated: “The one that jumps out to me is Adriano. He was like heralded as the next coming of R9 [Ronaldo Nazario], left-footed, absolute machine, had everything.

“There are totally different components that take away from gamers or imply they do not fulfil potential. For him, [it was] a household bereavement, I feel his father handed away and I heard [Javier] Zanetti, his captain [at Inter], speak about that second and say it took quite a bit out of him.



Adriano is a cult hero following his time at Inter Milan however by no means fairly realised his potential
(Image: Getty Images)

“Injuries really took away the power and the poise for him to go on and fulfil that potential. There was no doubt this guy if things had worked out for him, he would have gone on to be world-class.”

Cole and Ferdinand’s Unfulfilled FC: Kirkland, Richards, King, Andrade, Drenthe; Taarabt, Wilshere, Diaby, D’Alessandro; Adriano, Balotelli.

AC Milan FCArsenal FCInter Milan FCLiverpool FCManchester City FCPremier LeagueReal Madrid FCRio FerdinandTottenham Hotspur FC