Five players whose superstar careers were ruined by injury

Granada CF v UD Las Palmas - La Liga : News Photo
Jese’s career has failed to take off after the early promise at Real Madrid

#4 Jack Wilshere

Tottenham Hotspur v AFC Bournemouth - Premier League : News Photo
Jack Wilshere

The professional career of Jack Wilshere started when he was a mere 16-year-old with Arsenal. Since making his Premier League debut in 2008 against Blackburn, the central midfielder has only played 105 times in the top flight for Arsene Wenger’s side – a huge disappointment given that when he broke into the side he seemed to be a young man with the world at his feet.

Some would point to his lifestyle choices as a reason for his failure to yet realise his potential – he has been involved in several off-field controversies – yet there is little doubt that injuries have played a massive role.

Since suffering a sprained ankle in July 2011, he has been kept out on eight different occasions for more than 50 days in succession. The worst of these was a hairline crack in his calfbone that saw him miss much of the 2015-16 season – an injury that he is currently battling following a promising loan spell at Bournemouth.

Only the most optimistic, however, expect to see him become the classy midfield general that was once promised.

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