- Jul 9, 2007
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Yeah quite a lot did quite well there, and I know how some players are doingNick Barmby was the one for me, came to us and was one of the hottest youngsters coming through at the time, and was formidable playing amongst Anderton, Sheringham and Klinsmann. Unfortunately decided to go back up north, and his career faded out.
Others for me, Gerry McMahon, Terry Dixon, Dean Parrott, Jon Bostock, Coulibally, Marcus Edwards, Reto Ziegler, Kevin Prince-Boateng, and finally Mounir El Hamdaoui who was such a skillful player and did pretty well afterwards in Holland.
Parrott was unlucky in that because he was signed for a fair bit of money there was a lot of hype, but his performance never suggested he was a star in the making, he found his level and he has had a good career, good on him. Bostock, is an interesting player, who obviously didn't justify his hype but has had a good and slightly unconventional career in the game.
Coulibally is just evidence of why you shouldn't buy a youth player on the basis of one international tournament. He's a bit of a journeyman but has done ok, no worse then you would have expected considering how he actually performed in our youth team. Edwards, is doing well in Portugal, though has started the season in poor form.
Ziegler, was pretty exciting to see such a young player start for us. But after leaving us he did well, in Sampdoria very well indeed, and got a move to Juventus, and they kinda messed with his career, but has been one of the most successful MLS imports now and yeah, a good career.
Kevin Prince Boateng, was already established and not really a youth player when we signed him (pretty sure he was 21 or something) and for us, he barely played and looked, erm, energetic but chaotic when he did get a chance. In all honesty, he probably could have done a job for us if we kept him, has achieved a lot in his career and probably has done a hell lot better than I expected when he came to the club. Undoubtedly the most successful out of all those you mentioned.