In a new series, I intend to find out which factors affect a player reaching his potential, including examples to follow and examples to avoid. Part 1: Versatility - a poisoned chalice? http://hitrowz.com/2013/07/16/fulfilling-potential-part-1/
Interesting article, but didn't really address the title of this thread. I tend to think its a bit simpler than this if you're good enough, motivated enough and you avoid serious injury then you will make it. Being versatile should not be confused with not being good enough to hold down a regular position in the team. Using Joe Cole as an example of a player that didn't reach his potential even though he was a pivotal part of a multi-title winning team is just absurd, what has Bale won(other than a fixed POTY). Some players just have longer at the top than others, whether it be down to attitude, injury, team, fitness or position. You might as well say Owen never forefilled his potential because his knees went, or Rooney didn't because United don't want him anymore, Torres didn't because he failed at Chelsea, kaka didn't because he never turned up for Real Madrid, I could go on. How do you evaluate if a player reaches his potential? Some of the Young LFC players will make it into the first team and help us win some trophies, when that happens they will have reached their potential and you can never take that away from them. You've got to credit Harry though for seeing the potential in Bale! lol
To the OP, you need to post the article not just a link and staying around to discuss the article with other members would also be polite.
Being vetsatile can be an advantage when trying to break into a side but a hinderance once there. For example, Carra found it difficult to break into the team as a CB but easier to gain first team football at FB. Later in his career he got shifted about despite being established too. Also, he got picked for England ahead of others partly because of his versitility but struggled to secure a set position.
These days, playing in different positions is more for the education for the player. This is something that Rafa and his team have put in place at the academy.
Rooney, Torres & Kaka won the champions league (while Torres & Kaka have also won the World Cup) - I'd say they reached thier potential. I think you base a players career peak on the trophies they win during that peak, not the form they were in at times during it (Form is temporary, Class is permanent). Those players can't do any more.... they have won everything (except Rooney at International level) sp in my opinion they have reached their full potential.
vaguely interesting but complete misses the point about the two players. 1. bale.... bale had a set position he's grown from... left back, push forward to left wing no he's a hard running hard kicking donkey i nthe middle. cool. 2. cole.... cole has never had a set position IMO. he's been tried everywhere but one really are what you could just say is his best position. combine one and two and you see that one is a jack of all trades master of none and the other is a guy who's grown from a strong base into a new defined role. IF you apply this to our kids you will see similarities. We all know full well sterling is a winger. primarally left side even though his stronger foot is his right. wisdom is a player who can bed in at RB and play really well there and can move eventually (mid 20s) to CB. same for kelly. Robinson is a left full period. Wheres the versitility? wher eis this jack of all trades guy who just won't quite make it. If our lads take a first team slot i nthe obvious position for them they will go on to be good players for us. Better examples would have been utd... giggs was obviously a left wing but played right win till sharp was dumped. Beckham always played RM. Neville was always RB and scholes was moved from ST to CM to fit the firsts..... scholes never learned to tackle phil neville was the guy shunted to left full due to not ebing any good and as a result he never got enough games to be anything but a utd reserve (or in other words play for everton) Butt was always a CB... like EVAN at CB.... where's the joe cole? Versatility will just get a guy games it won't get them into their best position and thats a fair comment. However we could list steve nicol (player of the year) currently glen johnson... and even gerrard who could play anywhere is needed.... a good player has a real top position but can be effective everywhere.
Too vague to say a player has reached their potential after winning trophies. Torres did absolutely nothing to win the CL, just a token third and unnecessary goal in the final. He was at his best between 2007 and 2009 and has gone downhil since. Despite not winning anything at LFC does that mean he didn't fulfil his potential until he was a lesser player?
I think what you say is true for some players, 2004-05 for Traore or Biscan anyone? However, generally I wouldn't agree with that Bozz. Was Shearer's peak with Blackburn since that's where he won is one and only trophy? IMO, no. He got much better and peak later at Newcastle. The number of trophies a player wins isn't entirely down to how good they are. It also depends on luck of being at or bought for a team that has a chance of winning things. It also depends on the managers of said clubs liking you, the selling club not being too reedy preventing the move, how the players fits into a system, etc, etc, etc. The age old argument of who is better, Gerrard or Nicky Butt...
In answer to the title of this thread, surely whatever level they finally get to is their actual potential.
No! Someone can have the potential to be world class but if they're lazy and don't put the effort in then they won't fulfill that potential.
I reckon Garrez could be a model................................................. .............................of the Airfix variety
He already is, just won't say what kind!... Edit: Should've scrolled down to the end of your message RHC, I'll leave it as is anyway.
To be fair to Shearer, he had the chance to join United, had he of moved their instead of Newcastle he'd have won a hat full of trophies
