After reading one thread about the future of our team, I do wonder how many of those youngsters are actually going to make it to that next level. Nowadays, it seems as if young players are expected to blossom by the age 20, which in my opinion is complete nonsense. Then again, there are those youngsters who at a ridiculously young age seem to be that next big thing, yet fail to fulfil their potential.
One name that springs to mind is Dani Pacheco. Signed in 2007 from the youth ranks of FC Barcelona, I was of course as excited as any to see him make the trip over to Anfield. The youth academy of Barcelona creates many world class players, and he was considered to be the rising star during his time there.
Why he never made it was beyond me. Maybe someone could educate me as to why. Was it his attitude? Was it his small physique and lack of pace? Did he just not have the natural ability at the next level? I don't know, but a huge disappointment to see how his career has just stagnated like that. He's now 22 (still young) and is playing his trade in the Segunda Division for AD Alcorcon. This is something I didn't see happening and I for one hope this doesn't end up happening to any of our current group of youngsters at the club (Suso, Texeria, Sterling, Wisdom, etc).
Who else failed to cut the mustard here from a young age?
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