5 PFA Young Player of the Year winners who flopped

Harry Kewell

Kewell was a veritable prodigy during his stay with the Peacocks

In 2000, Harry Kewell joined the likes of Andrew Cole, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham in taking home this award. It signaled the beginning of a promising few seasons for the ex-Australia international, but it didn’t last.

As part of the Leeds United side that reached the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League towards the beginning of the noughties, he lit up not only the English top flight but also the continent’s elite competition. He was a veritable prodigy during his stay with the Peacocks and served up some quality football, but his early career showing was very much his optimum level.

A career blighted by recurring injury and confounded by disenchanting displays meant that his early-career promise was largely overshadowed by his slump after departing Leeds.

Despite winning a few titles at Liverpool, Kewell is often recalled as one of the biggest flops in the Premier League because he never quite lived up to his billing as a prospective great and spent plenty of time warming the bench.