10 wonderkids who failed to reach their potential

#5 Anthony Vanden Borre

Anthony Vanden Borre is currently playing in DR Congo

Football Manager has given a failed wonderkid reputation to many young players, who actually haven't done much to deserve it. They have just been overrated by the researchers. Anthony Vanden Borre is a name FM players recognize, but he was also expected to do big things in real life.

10+ years ago there were two outstanding defenders in Anderlecht's youth system - Vincent Kompany and Anthony Vanden Borre. Some even rated Vanden Borre higher. He's the youngest ever player to play in the Belgium top flight, having made his debut back in 2004 as a 16-year-old.

Vanden Borre, who's six months younger than Kompany, left Anderlecht a year earlier than his close friend, signing for Fiorentina, but his career never took off like Kompany's did. After a year in Fiorentina, he joined Genoa, where he didn't play much and by 2010/11 he was back in Belgium suiting up for Genk.

After a couple of years in Genk, Vanden Borre signed for Anderlecht again. He played in Belgium until last year. A loan spell in Montpellier had a bizarre ending when he returned to Anderlecht in the middle of the season and suddenly announced his retirement from football. However, there was another twist.

Just a couple of months after retiring, Vanden Borre joined Congolese side TB Mazembe. His mother is from DR Congo, and he himself is actually born in Likasi, a city in the southern part of the country.

"I am a simple and honest boy but the football world is hard. Money is the most important thing and that is a shame," said Vanden Borre of his decision.

"I’ve always dreamed of playing for Mazembe. It is the land of my mother. This is a choice of the heart. Anyone who knows me knows what this club means to me. All my friends are excited, including Vincent. He congratulated me by phone."

Considering that Vanden Borre played in a couple of top European leagues and at the World Cup in 2014, his career is far from a failure, but it isn't ending the way it was supposed to. Kompany has had a much more successful career, even with all his injury troubles.