Surely this has to be a contender

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/t...ren/7872504.stm

Can you think of anyone else who has seen their career slide so dramatically (and I don't mean someone who has suffered badly through injuries)

He is only 31, it isn't as if he is 38 and just playing for fun now.

I would venture to suggest Gaiska Mendieta. Played a CL final with Valencia, I have no idea where he currently is. One of the greatest slumps I have ever seen and he was up there with the best in his time.

Edited February 5, 200917 yr by Virosh

Hmm not sure about that shout. Mendieta at least played out his entire career playing in the top flight of every country he played in (albeit he wasn't with one of the top clubs in England).

He did have a very poor year in Italy and he never fully recovered from that. I don't think he ever officially retired but as far as I know he isn't actually playing anywhere at the moment.

Definitely a class act in his day and put in a number of excellent performances for an under achieving Boro side (due mainly to their choice of managers)

Where's Jody Morris ? Scottish 2nd div? Long way from super Chelsea.

And he's just 30.

Chelsea

L**ds

Rotherham

M*llwall

St Johnstone

??????

That's a big ass slide!

Edited February 6, 200917 yr by Scott

I saw that about Harte. I thought the Levante move, as English players dont generally tend to go overseas unless its for bigger clubs, but I know the guy was fishing around in the Norwegian league a while back, too. It doesnt seem like he's after the cash, just really likes playing. But still, when your skills have so obviously diminished that the standard of clubs has dropped that much, at a certain point pride has got to kick in.

For my nomination for career slide, I will say Patrick Kluivert. On top of the world ten years ago, and was linked with all kinds of huge clubs. Even named as one of Pele's greatest living footballers (along with some other current also-rans). Then something happeend and he left Barca. Then when to Newcastle. Then to Valencia, then to PSV, then Lille. Four clubs in four years, and the guy scored 22 goals in all comps for all of them from a guy who used to get 25 a season.

I think after having played for so many huge clubs, he got that "quit while youre ahead" vibe, because Wiki says he is now a backroom staff at AZ in Holland

What about Harry Kewell , is he still with the scum ? He seems to have dropped off the face of the earth ?

Remember Noel Whelan , another player destined for stardom.

Then theres the Futcher twins , Paul was one half , think he was with Luton and was expected to be a future England star .

Francis Jeffers .

Dalla Bona , released by West Ham yesterday and without a club , think he's only 29.

John Sparrow , rising star with us during the 70's then woooooomp, gone.

Steve Francis , our goalkeeper aged just 17, then never heard of again.

Steven Gerrard , once regarded to become the best midfielder in the world, he's still playing but never became the best midfielder in the world.

Good call on Morris. Eddie Newton too, had a spectacular fall from grace when he left us.

Good call on Morris. Eddie Newton too, had a spectacular fall from grace when he left us.

eddie's fall was through injury though wasnt it, he's doing a good job as a coach aswell

I was trying to come up with a likely contender for biggest career slide, but I don't think I can top Scott's nomination of Jody Morris.

That little w*nker had everything going for him and he just f*cked it up (Jody, not Scott ;) )

eddie's fall was through injury though wasnt it, he's doing a good job as a coach aswell

Eventually ,yes. But within two years of leaving us he was playing for Hayes.

i think we can add shevchenko to the list, and anyone else who ever played for chelsea and left

i think we can add shevchenko to the list, and anyone else who ever played for chelsea and left

Funny you should say that - I just read an article in a sports website, quoting a AC fan survey and Shevchenko is their biggest disappointment of the season so far. He's "won" it hands down, well ahead of Flamini and this forum's favourite Senderos.

If we're talking ability slides then I think Shevchenko, Deco and Malouda are good shouts!

Also, Robbie Fowler?

If we're talking ability slides then I think Shevchenko, Deco and Malouda are good shouts!

i still think deco will come good for us, he just needs a little more time to adjust

i still think deco will come good for us, he just needs a little more time to adjust

Jeffers and Morris for sure.

Danny Cadamartari - was once Everton's next best thing, couldn't tell you where/if he's playing now.

Leon Knight - one career stuck in reverse due to the chip on his should and his attitude.

Jeffers and Morris for sure.

Danny Cadamartari - was once Everton's next best thing, couldn't tell you where/if he's playing now.

Leon Knight - one career stuck in reverse due to the chip on his should and his attitude.

Also Filipe Morais - Made a couple of appearance for us, was sold to Millwall went to either Hearts or Hibs and now playes for Caladonian Thistle

frannie jeffers has to be up there. for chelsea id go for jon harley, he looked destined to be a chelsea and england regular but never really pushed on from his initial appearance on the scene. and also the young cypriot lad we had (cant remember his name), last time i heard anything about him he had quit football for good and was working in london.

Winston Bogarde monumental !!!!!!

Rivaldo was it ? got a ball in his shin and went down clutching his face in the world cup.. no one took him seriously again.

My nomination is Stan 'The Man' Collymore, one time British transfer record holder (£8.5million Forest to Liverpool in 1995), he had talent in abundance and in my opinion the potential to be one of the best strikers in the world.

Forsell

Paul Rideout

Graham Stuart