Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole choose 'potential squad', which includes Arsenal and Liverpool stars

Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole choose 'potential squad', which includes Arsenal and Liverpool stars

Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole have named a list of players who were paid for their achievements but did not achieve high levels, including Jack Wilshere and Mario Balotelli

Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole dubbed them 'Unfinished FC' when they came up with a team full of players who never fulfilled their potential.

There have been many young players who were expected to be at the top of their game but failed to achieve anything significant - whether that was due to injury, loss of concentration or just bad luck. Jack Wilshere was among the English players named in the XI as the Arsenal academy graduate failed to perform as expected.

Chris Kirkland, formerly of Liverpool, was named goalkeeper with a series of injuries meaning he was never able to establish himself at Anfield.

Richards won the Premier League title with Manchester City but called time on his career at the age of 31 as he, like King, struggled with injuries. Jorge Andrade and Royston Drenthe are the two remaining members of the back line, the last of whom went to Everton and then Reading.

As a young man, he burst onto the scene for Feyenoord and was named the best player of the U21 Euro tournament in 2007. That earned him a move to Real Madrid, but his career quickly declined and he added to himself. themselves on the list of players who failed to fulfill their promises.

In midfield, Wilshere joins former Gunners colleague Abou Diaby. The dynamic Frenchman was tipped for great achievements but endured an injury-plagued career like few others. Adel Taarabt, who played for QPR and Tottenham, and Andres D'Alessandro were named on the wings.

Mario Balotelli was one half of the attack as the flamboyant Italian played for some of Europe's top sides, showing his quality at times but failing to demonstrate consistency. Brazil international and former Inter Milan star Adriano was also selected - and was the one who disappointed Ferdinand the most.

He said: "There was a name that came to me while we were talking, Moussa Dembele was one of them, every player who played with him said he was an unbelievable talent. What caught my attention the most was Adriano, he was As foretold the next arrival of the R9, left footed, an absolute machine, had it all.

“There are different factors that take away from players or mean they don't reach their full potential, for him it was family loss, I think his father passed away and I heard the captain His Zanetti talks about that moment and says it cost him a lot. The injury really took away the strength and composure for him to continue to reach that potential. There is no doubt that if all goes well for him, he will become a world-class player. "

Adidas Unisex's Goletto VIII Turf Soccer Shoe

About this item

Turf soccer shoes for comfort and grip

SYNTHETIC UPPER: Synthetic upper is comfortable and lightweight

GRIPPY OUTSOLE: Rubber outsole for traction and speed

Unisex product is men's sizing. Women should size down 1 to 1.5 sizes

MADE WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: Made in part with recycled content generated from production waste, e.g. cutting scraps, and post-consumer household waste to avoid the larger environmental impact of producing virgin content

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Adidas Unisex's Goletto VIII Turf Soccer Shoe

About this item

Turf soccer shoes for comfort and grip

SYNTHETIC UPPER: Synthetic upper is comfortable and lightweight

GRIPPY OUTSOLE: Rubber outsole for traction and speed

Unisex product is men's sizing. Women should size down 1 to 1.5 sizes

MADE WITH RECYCLED CONTENT: Made in part with recycled content generated from production waste, e.g. cutting scraps, and post-consumer household waste to avoid the larger environmental impact of producing virgin content

View on Amazon