10 of the biggest wastes of talent in football

#7 Royston Drenthe

Drenthe's career peaked with a move to Real Madrid

Royston Drenthe’s career should he held up as a cautionary tale for any young Dutch footballers getting too big for their boots. Once considered one of the hottest young prospects at Feyenoord, the Dutchman has gone from Real Madrid and Everton to now turning out for Abu Dhabi side Baniyas.

The left-back was presented to the Real Madrid faithful alongside Wesley Sneijder, and was considered a long-term replacement for Roberto Carlos, sharing similar qualities of pace, and a rocket of a left foot. However, he was shipped off on loan to Hercules and Everton after Marcelo’s rise. Drenthe's cause was not helped by his abrasive attitude.

Reflecting on his Premier League spell, Drenthe was honest about his failure, saying:

“I used to confront David Moyes, thinking I had the right to talk to him like that. But in hindsight, he was so right about me most times. Now I can’t believe I blew it at ­Everton. My ­attitude and poor mentality are the reasons I ruined my career there.”

Drenthe was released by Madrid, to be signed by Russian outfit Alania Vladikavkaz, who also allowed him to move on a free transfer to Reading. The English side could not tolerate the Dutchman either, sending him on loan to Sheffield Wednesday before releasing him.

Drenthe’s career took a nosedive, signing for Turkish side Kayseri Erciyesspor before moving to Baniyas, who released him in 2016.

After a hiatus from the sport, he joined Sparta Rotterdam in 2018 on a one-year deal.

He then moved back to Spain in 2021, signing with Racing Murcia. In January 2022, the team loaned him to Real Murcia.