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Players that didn’t reach their potential

Page 7 of 8

posted on 8/5/20

I’ve a feeling in10 years time we’ll be adding pogba to this thread.

posted on 8/5/20

Yeah McGrath was a special player. He won player of the year in I think 92 when he didn't train cause his knees were in bits and was drunk half the time, but he was exceptional for the 90 mins of the game.

He used to get youth team players to give him a lift to training and he'd go to the offie on the way to get vodka knowing the young lads wouldn't say a thing.

And the FAI used to have a car literally on the runway to pick him up off the plan when he came over for internationals cause they knew if they didn't he'd head into town and be on the drink for days.

His book is brilliant, I'm not really a fan of footballers books but he has a real story to tell.

Irish you're right about that Italy game he was the best player on the pitch that day.

comment by Melt (U22362)

posted on 8/5/20

Luis Saha is a good shout, he was awesome and linked up really well with Rooney/Ronaldo

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Ole-Dirty-Baztard (U19119)
posted 1 minute ago
I’ve a feeling in10 years time we’ll be adding pogba to this thread.
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He's won allot though but you're likely right.

posted on 8/5/20

comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 19 seconds ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 37 seconds ago
comment by Roys Keane (U11635)
posted 34 minutes ago
Paul McGrath

Knees were shot he was offered a retirement package from utd but played on for another 6 years or so. Throw in his drink problem and you wonder what more he could have done in his career

Great player
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The greatest player ROI has ever produced

Idolised by the fans
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Better than Keane?

I’m too young to remember McGrath.
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In my opinion yes and you cannot say I am biased against United.
I would put him ahead of both Keane and Brady.
Watch his performance against Italy and world player of the year Roberto Baggio in USA 94, a masterclass.

Bear in mind also his partner that day was Phil Babb
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No I’d never say that.

Unfortunately don’t think I ever got to see him live.

I’ve heard stories about him stopping at petrol stations for a naggin of vodka and downing it before games and still coming away with the MOTM
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While at Villa he was banned from all pubs and off licences. He used to drive the young lads to training and get them to get him a naggin before training

posted on 8/5/20

comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 2 minutes ago
Yeah McGrath was a special player. He won player of the year in I think 92 when he didn't train cause his knees were in bits and was drunk half the time, but he was exceptional for the 90 mins of the game.

He used to get youth team players to give him a lift to training and he'd go to the offie on the way to get vodka knowing the young lads wouldn't say a thing.

And the FAI used to have a car literally on the runway to pick him up off the plan when he came over for internationals cause they knew if they didn't he'd head into town and be on the drink for days.

His book is brilliant, I'm not really a fan of footballers books but he has a real story to tell.

Irish you're right about that Italy game he was the best player on the pitch that day.
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When he was leaving united Kenny wanted to sign him for us. Mcgrath said he would have walked to Anfield to sign for Kenny but alas ourselves and United dont do business.

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Ole-Dirty-Baztard (U19119)
posted 3 minutes ago
I’ve a feeling in10 years time we’ll be adding pogba to this thread.
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Other than this season he hasn’t really had injury problems. He may not fulfil his potential but doubt it will be down to injury.

posted on 8/5/20

When he was leaving united Kenny wanted to sign him for us. Mcgrath said he would have walked to Anfield to sign for Kenny but alas ourselves and United dont do business.

____

Never heard about that Red

Have you quotes or links ?

posted on 8/5/20

Adriano has to be one of the saddest cases in modern times. Zlatan, Ronaldo, every one marvelled at the guy.
In Brazil he was seen as even better than fat Ronaldo, with more natural ability, and his shooting from distance was ridiculous.

Was pretty much a one man machine for a time and considering the age he came to Inter, he excelled way ahead of schedule.

His dad's death destroyed him. He was in his 40s I think.
What's crazy is the anger actually masked his decline from alcohol abuse for some time. Even training drunk and partying he still scored goals initially.

Even when Jose talked about it, as word got out and he was sent to rehab, he was serious as he knew the guy was basically killing himself but in a dark, dark place.

Such a sad story

posted on 8/5/20

I'd forgotten about Adriano he was some player at his best, I'd say defenders hated marking him

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Roys Keane (U11635)
posted 7 minutes ago
When he was leaving united Kenny wanted to sign him for us. Mcgrath said he would have walked to Anfield to sign for Kenny but alas ourselves and United dont do business.

____

Never heard about that Red

Have you quotes or links ?


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I believe it was in a book written about him but maybe wrong. Would not be the first time. I would need to do a bit of digging.

posted on 8/5/20

Adriano wasn’t seen as better than Ronaldo, with more natural ability, in Brazil. Shame what happened to his career, but let’s not go over the top about highly he was regarded. He was always known more for his power than his natural skill.

posted on 8/5/20

He was an absolute beast on Pro Evo, if that hasn't already been mentioned

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 27 minutes ago
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 2 minutes ago
Yeah McGrath was a special player. He won player of the year in I think 92 when he didn't train cause his knees were in bits and was drunk half the time, but he was exceptional for the 90 mins of the game.

He used to get youth team players to give him a lift to training and he'd go to the offie on the way to get vodka knowing the young lads wouldn't say a thing.

And the FAI used to have a car literally on the runway to pick him up off the plan when he came over for internationals cause they knew if they didn't he'd head into town and be on the drink for days.

His book is brilliant, I'm not really a fan of footballers books but he has a real story to tell.

Irish you're right about that Italy game he was the best player on the pitch that day.
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Would have been a ballsy move. But then, having read his autobiography, character was certainly something he didn't lack

posted on 8/5/20

Stan Collymore, had the chance to be one of the all time greats - he had speed, could score with either foot, prolific in and out of the area, great with the ball at his feet - a perfect striker in every way

His attitude was his downfall, one of the all time underachievers in the past 30 years

comment by Melt (U22362)

posted on 8/5/20

People need to read the word ‘injuries’

posted on 8/5/20

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 29 minutes ago
Adriano wasn’t seen as better than Ronaldo, with more natural ability, in Brazil. Shame what happened to his career, but let’s not go over the top about highly he was regarded. He was always known more for his power than his natural skill.
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Footballs about opinions. My point is plenty in Brazil thought he was stronger and just as technically gifted, and had a much stronger work ethic.

Whether me or you disagree it doesn't mean some people didn't see his immense porformances and potential and believe he could better 'the phenom'.

Different players but both had insane speed and finishing. Both were unplayable on their day. If Ronaldo had stayed at Inter maybe we could have seen him at his peak. Defenders hated him and when zlatan says he could've been the best, and he played with them both, I kinda have to respect what he's saying.

People overlook Adrian at parma, when he was still adjusting to Europe, when the Italian league was a real force still.

His goal record in terms of goals to games is not much different to Ronaldo, and Ron had a spell at psv, in a much weaker league to help him adjust.

There was a time in the mid 2000 when lots thought he was the world's best striker. Sad it didn't last long but the fact his numbers held up even when he was drinking before training, in a defensive league, speaks volumes.

posted on 8/5/20

comment by merrysupersteve - Jose'd he wouldn't be our Special One? (U1132)
posted 38 minutes ago
He was an absolute beast on Pro Evo, if that hasn't already been mentioned
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Yeah he kinda broke the game with his long shots 😅

Think it kinda epitomises what I'm saying, it seemed a given he would rise to the top in lots of people's eyes. Terrorised defenders.

posted on 8/5/20

But I’m saying they didn’t because Ronaldo was a far more technically gifted footballer, even when he was past it he was still the more gifted player with the ball but lacked the power he once had that Adriano did have at that time. That’s why an out of shape Ronaldo was still as good as a prime Adriano, whereas when Adriano was out of shape he struggled badly as his game was based around his power.

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 8 minutes ago
But I’m saying they didn’t because Ronaldo was a far more technically gifted footballer, even when he was past it he was still the more gifted player with the ball but lacked the power he once had that Adriano did have at that time. That’s why an out of shape Ronaldo was still as good as a prime Adriano, whereas when Adriano was out of shape he struggled badly as his game was based around his power.
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I disagree strongly. That's why zlatan says he could've been the best ever he saw. If a prime Adrian was worse than a faded Ronaldo that statement would make a mockery of his view.

We saw Ronaldo peak but we never saw Adrian there was a time when he was the main man for Brazil. His record at para too was uber impressive.

If you look at Adrianos numbers even when he was an alcoholic his stats were really good. It beggars belief tbh. We will just have to agree to disagree but I think saying a fat Ronaldo was better than a prime Adriano (that we never got to see) is a bit daft.

Ronaldo was amazing but he was also very sloppy/selfish at times, and spent lots of time on the floor, when he first came to Europe. Inter fans worshipped 'the emporer' as he would run through walls, could score from any distance or angle, and struck fear into defenders. He adjusted so fast it amazed everyone at inter what he did at parma so quickly.

As someone mentioned above, there is a reason he was by far the silliest player on PES back in the day. He broke the game.

I do feel he could've been a legend.

posted on 8/5/20

“He got a phone call from Brazil ‘Adri, dad is dead’. "I saw him in his room, he threw the phone and started screaming. You couldn’t imagine that kind of scream. Since that day Moratti (Inter chairman) and myself watched over him as he was our little brother. He kept playing football, scoring goals, and pointing to the sky dedicating them to his father. After that phone call nothing was the same. Iván Córdoba (Inter teammate) spent one night with him and said ‘Adri, you’re a mix of Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Are you aware you could become the best player ever?’ We did not succeed of pulling him out of depression.”

— Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan teammate, and club captain, on the impact on Adriano of the death of his father in 2004.[16]


posted on 8/5/20

The out of shape Ronaldo was still scoring goals for Madrid and displaying superior technique than Adriano ever did. Zlatan bumming up his mate isn’t representative of this apparent view that Adriano was viewed as a more naturally gifted footballer than Ronaldo. It’s just ballacks. Ronaldo’s a god in Brazil.

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
The out of shape Ronaldo was still scoring goals for Madrid and displaying superior technique than Adriano ever did. Zlatan bumming up his mate isn’t representative of this apparent view that Adriano was viewed as a more naturally gifted footballer than Ronaldo. It’s just ballacks. Ronaldo’s a god in Brazil.
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I'm not saying he was better. I'm saying with him leaving Brazil so young, and tearing it up at parma (then inter/brazil) some thought he could eclipse him over his career.

Guy destroyed teams. Won golden boot for Brazil and was simply unplayable for a short time.

Zanetti was asked his worst defeat in football. He said Adriano.

One night, Ivan Cordoba shared a room with him and told him he was a mix between Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and asked him if he was aware that he would become the world’s best.

“We weren’t able to pull him out of the tunnel of depression. That was my biggest defeat, I felt powerless.”

I knew wasnt alone in wondering what could've been 😅
At the same time take nothing away from fat Ron. Legend of the game.

posted on 8/5/20

comment by Ole-Dirty-Baztard (U19119)
posted 14 minutes ago
“He got a phone call from Brazil ‘Adri, dad is dead’. "I saw him in his room, he threw the phone and started screaming. You couldn’t imagine that kind of scream. Since that day Moratti (Inter chairman) and myself watched over him as he was our little brother. He kept playing football, scoring goals, and pointing to the sky dedicating them to his father. After that phone call nothing was the same. Iván Córdoba (Inter teammate) spent one night with him and said ‘Adri, you’re a mix of Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović. Are you aware you could become the best player ever?’ We did not succeed of pulling him out of depression.”

— Javier Zanetti, Inter Milan teammate, and club captain, on the impact on Adriano of the death of his father in 2004.[16]



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Wow that's good work! My brain isn't what it's worth but I knew Adriano had left an imprint and I also knew lots of players are quoted as saying he was an enigma.
Crazy you found that same quote!

In a world where it's common to have injuries ruin players careers it's sad to be reminded even the most gifted players can lose it through mental illness.

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