This season of football has seen the emergence of a few talented footballers who have gone on and achieved great things with their club. Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli has been a revelation for the club ending his season on a high by winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Similarly, Arsenal have brought on another one of their youth products to the fore in Alex Iwobi and who can ignore the brilliant Marcus Rashford who has time and again saved Manchester United's season from crumbling. While they've gathered the spotlight this year for their contribution in the game, there are talented youngsters who peaked too early, so to say.
The golden boys who were to take on the world's best but for some reason or the other, haven't had the chance to live up to their names. Here are five youngsters who really need to sort out their careers before they're deemed 'one season wonders' or the like.
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#5 Adnan Januzaj
Often cited as one of David Moyes' better decisions as Manchester United manager, Adnan Januzaj wowed crowds at the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League before completely botching it with a series of poor decisions off the pitch.
With the arrival of Louis van Gaal, Januzaj was no longer a first-team regular. The Dutchman was not the biggest fan of the Belgian yet he gave him plenty of opportunities during his first year of managing Old Trafford. Januzaj didn't make any impact and was thus condemned to the bench.
A loan move to Borussia Dortmund was set up for him to regain his confidence and possibly break back into the first team but Thomas Tuchel, the manager of Dortmund, was not impressed with his discipline and sent him back to Manchester where he, along with fellow academy prospect Andreas Pereira, were punished for 'putting themselves ahead of the team' in multiple Under-21 games.
Given he's just 21, Januzaj has plenty of time on his hands but he needs to sit down with the manager and figure out the best possible way he can progress as a player.
#4 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
One of Arsenal's most expensive teenage signings, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, was expected to take to the Premier League by storm but time and again, the competition has flushed him out with the utmost ease.
While the blame isn't entirely on him, the Englishman has been culpable for many counter-attacks leading to Arsenal conceding goals having given away the ball in important places. He's quick, he's strong as an ox and can dribble around the best of defenders but the years have passed and he's remained still.
Arsene Wenger has often touted that the 23-year-old has a future in the middle of the pitch yet with the likes of Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere all fighting for the two midfield spots, the Ox has some work to do.
The time has come for him to really analyse and look at what's stalling his career. Maybe a change of clubs could do him the world a good.
#3 Sergi Samper
The midfield prospect who reportedly convinced Luis Enrique that Xavi was no longer needed has himself replaced by the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan. Sergi Samper is a joy to watch on the ball and he's only surprisingly 21-years-old.
He's been so good that Premier League clubs in Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool were all linked heavily with moves to take him away from the Camp Nou yet Luis Enrique blocked every move to ensure he continued to play his football in Catalonia.
Having made only four appearances this season, Samper will not be happy with the amount of game time he's awarded given the likes of Sergi Roberto – albeit a little more adaptable – and Sandro have received more playing time.
It doesn't look like Barcelona are about to part ways with either of Sergio Busquets, Rakitic and Andres Iniesta anytime soon and this is why the young Spaniard needs to look into a move elsewhere. A loan or a permanent move could bring his career back on track.
#2 Mateo Kovacic
At Inter Milan, Mateo Kovacic was one of the few players who made things happen. When on the ball, he looks for quick one-twos and drives with the ball at his feet opening up defences and creating chances.
At Real Madrid, he's glum and on the bench. Rafael Benitez clearly saw something in this kid. He has everything to become a successful midfielder for both club and country yet current manager, Zinedine Zidane, doesn't so often leaving him to warm the dugout.
With Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund reportedly interested in signing the Croat, a move away from the Bernabeu might get his career back on track. He's quick, athletic, an excellent passer of the ball and both the aforementioned teams could so with someone like him.
Still on 21-years-old, Kovacic has the time to do something with his talent. It's a shame if he doesn't do it at Real Madrid.
#1 Mario Gotze
Still remember the day Mario Gotze moved from Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich. He was already a crowd favourite at the Westfalenstadion with everything he did on the pitch. Then-manager Jurgen Klopp turned this talented teenager into a world beater – quite literally when he won Germany the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Gotze joined Bayern to work with legendary manager Pep Guardiola yet the Spaniard ousted him from his first-team plans and has failed to use the youngster in his preferred role for more than two games in a row.
Now linked with a move back to Borussia Dortmund, Gotze has the opportunity to shine on the same stage it all started for him. With Liverpool, Arsenal, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain all reported targets across Europe, he has a choice to make in ensuring he gets back to his best. He's simply too talented to be sitting on the bench.
