1. Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu is clearly the biggest waste of potential in modern football, but in many ways you can feel sorry for the 23-year-old American. Despite his young age, it is clear that the hype surrounding Adu was unjust and he will never achieve what many expected him to - what a shame. Adu first began to draw worldwide attention around eight years ago, and it can be said that he is an unfortunate victim of too much, too soon in terms of expectations. As a youngster, Adu was impressive to say the least and went on to become the youngest American athlete to sign a major league professional contract in any team sport at just 14 years of age. At this age, Adu was able to achieve a number one pick in the 2004 MLS Draft and went on to make his MLS debut in the same year. Although many can argue that the MLS is not quite the same standard of football to the likes of the Bundesliga and Premiership, it is undeniable that fourteen is too young to make a professional debut in football. After moving to fellow MLS-side Real Salt Lake from DC United at the age of 17, Adu played impressive football throughout his six-month spell at the club and reignited the hype he had showed previously. This was furthered whilst captaining the US U-20 side in the 2007 World Cup, which ultimately led to a multitude of European clubs - allegedly including Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United - showing great interest. Adu inevitably left to sign for a European giant, in the form of the Portuguese side Benfica. This was Adu's chance to shine and live up to expectations. Adu played 20 games, scoring 5 goals in his first season for the Portuguese side, though went on to be loaned out to French Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco in 2008. Freddy was less than impressive in France and Monaco opted against making the move permanent, leading to him going back to his parent club at the end of the season. Adu went on to be loaned out three more times from the Portuguese side and, consequently, he did not make another appearance for Benfica since his relatively consistent first season. With loan spells at equally-obscure clubs from across Europe - Portugal's Belenenses, Greece's Aris and Turkish second tier side aykur Rizespor, Adu never managed to find his feet and show consistent form. Imminently, Freddy moved back to the US to play for MLS side Philadelphia Union - going on to play 41 times for the club, scoring 10 goals. Adu has since moved on loan from Philly to Brazilian side Bahia and hasn't managed to show the Pelé-like potential many believed he had.
Current Status: On loan at Brazil first division strugglers Bahia and fringe player for United States.
What He Could Have Been: Key player for Manchester United and United States - the next Pelé. Did we miss any wonderkids who never made the grade? Share your own picks below.