What happened to Premier League's biggest wonderkids since 2005?

Football fans love seeing young players emerge with the potential to become stars. When a wonderkid shows exceptional talent, excitement builds quickly and it's not too long before they are earmarked for potential greatness.

However, not every young footballer lives up to the hype. Many careers take unexpected turns due to injuries, form, poor decisions and even the ability to handle the pressure that comes with the immense scrutiny they are subjected to.

While some manage to navigate these rough waters and go on to achieve greatness, others fade into obscurity. Mirror Football takes a look at some of the most hyped Premier League wonderkids since 2005 and how their careers shaped up.

Dele Alli

Dele Alli was once one of England’s brightest prospects. He showed glimpses of his talent at MK Dons before Tottenham snapped him up at the tender age of 19 in 2015. And he truly burst onto the scene at Spurs.

The midfielder, who had an eye for goals, won back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards and became a crucial part of Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side. It seemed he was destined for greatness.

However, his performance declined sharply after 2018. He lost his place in the England squad and struggled for form at Spurs. Moves to Everton and Besiktas followed, but he never regained his old spark. Once regarded as a future superstar, his career took an unexpected downturn and he currently plays for Serie A side Como.

His decline has been widely discussed. Former players and pundits have criticised his attitude and work ethic. Injuries and tactical changes also played a part in his struggles. His dramatic fall from being England’s golden boy to a forgotten talent is one of football’s most surprising stories.

Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere was a standout talent in Arsenal ’s midfield, ever since he broke into the first team in 2008 as a 16-year-old. In fact, he was Arsenal’s youngest league debutant and was expected to lead the club for years.

Technically gifted, Wilshere had already set the Premier League alight before announcing himself on the European stage with his performance against Barcelona in the 2010/11 Champions League round of 16 clash. He outshone the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the first leg, helping Arsenal win 2-1. Though the Gunners lost the return leg 3-1, Wilshere had made a name for himself.

Unfortunately, injuries derailed his progress. He underwent multiple surgeries on his ankle and knee, missing more than 100 games. A move to West Ham and then AFC Bournemouth did not help as he struggled for fitness and form.

Wilshere eventually retired at 30, far earlier than expected. He is currently a first-team coach at Championship side Norwich City. However, his playing career remains a story of unfulfilled promise.

Adnan Januzaj

Adnan Januzaj burst onto the scene at Manchester United in the 2013/14 season under David Moyes. Though earmarked as a potential star in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at United, Januzaj got his first-team breakthrough under Moyes and immediately went on to captivate the Old Trafford faithful.

It was his two-goal match-winning performance against Sunderland in 2013 that announced his talent in front of the larger footballing world. Expectations on the young Belgian winger were huge and it further grew when he was given the legendary No. 11 shirt worn by Ryan Giggs. Many believed he would be the club’s next great winger.

However, he never built on that early promise. Though he impressed under Moyes in what was a poor season for the club, he failed to secure a regular spot under both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. Loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland did not revive his form. By 2017, United let him go and he joined Real Sociedad.

Since then, Januzaj has played for Sevilla and been sent on loan to Istanbul Basaksehir and Las Palmas. Though he has had moments of brilliance, he never became the superstar many expected. His career remains a case of what could have been.

Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho was once considered among the world’s best playmakers, when he was strutting it out at Anfield. Coutinho was always considered a huge talent right from his days at Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

He was quickly snapped up by Inter Milan as a teenager. But he never sparkled in Milan and ended up moving to Liverpool in January 2013, at the age of 20. The Brazilian sparkled in Liverpool and started living up to his early promise. His creativity and long-range goals made him a fan favourite. He made more than 200 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 51 goals and quickly establishing himself as a global star.

It was no surprise when Barcelona signed him for a fee that was reported to be an initial £105 million as they looked to fill the void left by Neymar. However, Coutinho never fit into the system at Barca. He was shifted onto various roles but failed to make a lasting impact.

His confidence dipped, and he was loaned out to Bayern Munich and Aston Villa. Though he has had flashes of his old brilliance, his career never hit the heights expected after his Liverpool success. He is currently on loan at his childhood club Vasco da Gama, from Villa.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku was another Premier League wonderkid who showed immense potential right from a young age. After tearing it up at Anderlecht, Chelsea signed the 18-year-old as they looked to find a long-term replacement for Didier Drogba. But he could not break through properly into the first team squad.

Struggling for playing time, he went on loan to West Brom and then Everton. He showed his credentials as a top Premier League striker during these spells and earned himself a permanent move to the Toffees.

It was no surprise when Manchester United paid €90 million for him in 2017 but he failed to convince at Old Trafford and left for Inter Milan two years later. He rediscovered his form in Italy which led to Chelsea bringing him back for a substantial fee in 2021. But, the move back to Stamford Bridge did not work out for Lukaku and he was soon loaned out again to Inter Milan and then AS Roma. He currently plays for Napoli.

Despite a strong goalscoring record for clubs and country, Lukaku’s career has been marked by inconsistency. While he remains a great striker, he never fully established himself at an elite club for long.

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli was once considered a future Ballon d’Or winner. After lighting it up as a teenager with Inter Milan, he won the European Golden Boy award in 2010. The Italian striker’s exploits saw Manchester City bring him to England in August 2010 as a 20-year-old.

His talent was undeniable at City. He famously assisted Sergio Aguero’s 2012/13 Premier League-winning goal against QPR, a moment that has gone into Premier League folklore. Though it seemed he was destined for greatness, it didn’t quite work out for him. His attitude, off-field issues and a tendency to court controversy held him back.

Spells at AC Milan, Liverpool, and Marseille followed, but he never settled at a club. His attitude and inconsistency frustrated managers. Clubs kept giving him chances, but he failed to maintain top-level performances. After nomadic spells, he currently is on the books at Serie A side Genoa.

Balotelli never became the world-class player many expected him to be. His story is a reminder that talent alone is not enough.

Gareth Bale

Unlike others on this list, Gareth Bale definitely fulfilled his potential. Bale caught the eye as a teenage left wing-back at Southampton, making his first team debut at the tender age of 16 in 2006. He was sensational in that season and was quickly snaffled by Tottenham in 2007.

It was at White Hart Lane that he transformed from a left-back into an elite winger. His pace and finishing quickly made him one of the Premier League’s best players. He won two PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards and garnered attention from the world’s best clubs.

Real Madrid signed him in 2013 and he formed a lethal front three with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, dubbed the ‘BBC’. He won three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies with Real, and scored in two finals.

However, injuries and a lack of playing time in later years led to some criticism. And his relationship with the club’s fans became strained.

Despite his ups and downs, Bale’s legacy remains strong. He won multiple trophies and delivered in big moments. While his career had challenges, he achieved far more than most wonderkids.