Yet another wonder kid

[BmoreBlue]

can't be arsed for a link but we've also signed the next ibrahimovic - he'll be joining in january.

When is his book being published ?

hopefully in time for his 16th birthday

[Ted Hughes]

can't be arsed for a link but we've also signed the next ibrahimovic - he'll be joining in january.

And the next Schmeichel (he went for a trial at the rags, met Moyes, & then signed for City).

[Slim]

And most of them will end up like the wonderkids we're currently facing.

[Cocacolajojo1]

There are no wonderkids. There are kids with talent and some of them have the determination to realize it. I don't like the term at all, no football player is a wonder in the sense that he or she is born great. Everyone has to work for it in the end.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

There are no wonderkids. There are kids with talent and some of them have the determination to realize it. I don't like the term at all, no football player is a wonder in the sense that he or she is born great. Everyone has to work for it in the end.

That's the thing.

[ant london]

There are no wonderkids. There are kids with talent and some of them have the determination to realize it. I don't like the term at all, no football player is a wonder in the sense that he or she is born great. Everyone has to work for it in the end.

That's the thing.

This

Freddie Adu

Early in his career, Adu was considered an up-and-comer for United States football; much speculation surrounded his potential for future success, and he was even referred to as "the next Pelé".Despite his success for US youth teams and scattered success with the US national team, he is generally considered a disappointment, in not living up to the expectations for his career.

[Beefymcfc]

Very true mate. It makes you wonder if he was actually the lads agent before he went back to speak to the family.

Just doesn't sit right for me but I suppose the family will be happy that they'll get a few quid out of it.

I think that what it means is, that his agent turned up saying he was taking the kid to the UK, the bloke wasn't convinced it was actually the kid's agent so refused to let him go, then the kid's Dad phoned up & confirmed it was kosher, so he was allowed to leave.

That's all.

I get that mate, I was more looking at how this actually happened where the parents didn't bother their fucked up arses to introduce the agent to the manager. They were probably too busy counting the wonga.

Just shows what children are to some people, a commodity only.

[kinkylola]

There are no wonderkids. There are kids with talent and some of them have the determination to realize it. I don't like the term at all, no football player is a wonder in the sense that he or she is born great. Everyone has to work for it in the end.

That's the thing.

This

Freddie Adu

Early in his career, Adu was considered an up-and-comer for United States football; much speculation surrounded his potential for future success, and he was even referred to as "the next Pelé".Despite his success for US youth teams and scattered success with the US national team, he is generally considered a disappointment, in not living up to the expectations for his career.

massive disappointment from the hype he got. And that's probably exactly why he failed. Combined with the MLS milking his 'celebrity' for all it was worth. They had him playing in the first team at 14 years* old! Against grown grizzled vets. And he was a very effective player, held his own and showed flashes of brilliance (for that level).

Thing was ... that was all a mistake. He should have packed his bags immediately and taken one of the many offers from euro clubs to play in their academy teams. Inter offered him a 7 figure deal to come to them and go through the system. 100% what he should have done. Instead he took some quick money from MLS, guaranteed to play because of his market value. Over-hyped and run down by the time he was 18.

Fucking cautionary tale if there ever was one.

*big questions have since been raised about his age. He fucking dominated the youth sides and absolutely destroyed brazil in the U-17 WC that he participated in. Lots of people that played with him on those development teams swear that he could not be the age he said he was.

[bigblue]

massive disappointment from the hype he got. And that's probably exactly why he failed. Combined with the MLS milking his 'celebrity' for all it was worth. They had him playing in the first team at 14 years* old! Against grown grizzled vets. And he was a very effective player, held his own and showed flashes of brilliance (for that level).

Thing was ... that was all a mistake. He should have packed his bags immediately and taken one of the many offers from euro clubs to play in their academy teams. Inter offered him a 7 figure deal to come to them and go through the system. 100% what he should have done. Instead he took some quick money from MLS, guaranteed to play because of his market value. Over-hyped and run down by the time he was 18.

Fucking cautionary tale if there ever was one.

*big questions have since been raised about his age. He fucking dominated the youth sides and absolutely destroyed brazil in the U-17 WC that he participated in. Lots of people that played with him on those development teams swear that he could not be the age he said he was.

I played on the same team as him and his little brother when I was 14. His little brother (supposed to be 11 he was 12) was 5'11" tall with veins popping out of his legs. Also note that both freddy and his brother ferdua were a year or two ahead in school as well as playing soccer a few years up. Don't get me wrong though, at that age he was incredible.

In Ghana and many west african countries, your "date of birth" on your birth cerfiticate is when your parents take you to be registered at the local hospital or government building. This often happens a few years after the kid is born as more of a formality. Its a real birth certificate, the meaning is just lost across cultures.

But blaming freddy for taking the quick money to play on his local team is a bit harsh. When he came out, he was covered in America like a mainstream star athelete because of his age. Going to europe would have definitely helped him, but he was never the toughest of players and is pretty small.

America is so desperate to be dominate in everything and soccer is one of the last sports frontiers for us. People mention the British media hyping up young players prematurely... well as Ant said, he was literally called the next Pele on a regular basis by the mainstream press by the time he was 14*

[Breks]

Agents at 13-17 what a joke.

I thought the deal was your dad managed you until signing pro and he got a 3 bed semi and car out of it?

My youngest lad is a massively talented footballer. No agents will be going anywhere near him as he gets older. I will be his agent.

[Nigels Tackle]

There are no wonderkids. There are kids with talent and some of them have the determination to realize it. I don't like the term at all, no football player is a wonder in the sense that he or she is born great. Everyone has to work for it in the end.

That's the thing.

This

Freddie Adu

Early in his career, Adu was considered an up-and-comer for United States football; much speculation surrounded his potential for future success, and he was even referred to as "the next Pelé".Despite his success for US youth teams and scattered success with the US national team, he is generally considered a disappointment, in not living up to the expectations for his career.

jesus, is that what viagra does???