8 players who did not live up to their tag of 'the next Zinedine Zidane'

Sofiane Feghouli

Algerian-French creative midfielder with an eye for goal? Sounds like Zidane in the making right? Apart from the comparisons, Zidane himself stated his liking for the player while appreciating his displays for current club – Valencia.

At Valencia, Feghouli has slowly developed into a hub of the team’s attacking tempo and attack, particularly after the departure of big names like Juan Mata and David Silva. But as critics point out Feghouli still has some work left to fulfill these comparisons, particularly his goal scoring prowess.

Currently a regular in his national team and ironically the first ever Algerian to score at the FIFA World Cup, Feghouli at 25 still has time on his side to make a bigger mark on the game than he has till now.

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Clement Grenier

Grenier has been touted to be the next big thing from France for a while. Having gained repute with his performances for Lyon, it was obvious that he be compared to the legend himself.

With an ability to play in deep lying creative midfield/ attacking midfield or on either flanks, Grenier has the making of the next Zidane but surely some work is needed to fulfill his potential.

Continuous rumors linking him to a move to Arsenal had people wondering whether if he could be the real deal. But a crippling injury that saw him out of action for a year has slowed him on the path of being the next Zidane.

Though at 24, Grenier would be looking to put in the efforts to recapture those accolades.

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Adel Taarabt

Adel Taarabt has long been on the periphery of European football and has yet to live up to his potential let alone emulating Zidane.

Snapped up by Tottenham as “one for the future”, the Moroccan now sees himself playing for a relegated QPR.

At 25 it would be crude to write him off completely as he has shown from time to time that he can step up his game, probably why Milan loaned him last season, but no doubt on the fact that he still has a long way to go.

Famous for his skills on the ball and a penchant for long rangers, some of the traits that make his next Zidane claim plausible but his trouble with discipline sees him in a far off place than the legend.