11 Extremely Talented Premier League Footballers That Were Ruined By Injuries

If you were to ask Jonathan Woodgate, it's quite possible he'd like to be remembered for more than having the worst debut in the history of debuts. The year was 2005. Real Madrid were playing Athletic Bilbao, and over a year after signing for the Spanish giants, Jonathan Woodgate was finally making his first appearance. Not only did Woodgate score a rocket of a header past his own goalkeeper, he was also sent off later in the game. 

Had that been the first time you'd seen the English centre-back play, you'd be forgiven for thinking he was dreadful. In actual fact, Woodgate had already had successful spells with both Leeds and Newcastle United before Madrid came knocking. He'd also earned himself a handful of England caps.

Woodgate's career was packed with injuries (he was even crocked when he signed for Madrid, and missed the whole first season). After only 14 appearances in two years in Spain, Woodgate returned to England a shadow of the player that left.

Woodgate then had decent spells with Middlesbrough (where he has since returned), Tottenham and Stoke, and even earned himself an England recall. His last international appearance came in 2008 though, with injuries forcing him to miss the majority of both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 campaigns.

Aged 35, Woodgate is still playing for Middlesbrough, though he is widely expected to retire at the end of the current campaign. Had it not been for much misfortune, Woodgate would undoubtedly have more than doubled his current tally of eight England caps.