Do you remeber Freddy Adu? You must do. He was the young American who took the MLS by storm back in 2004 when he was only fourteen years old. He was seen as the future of the American game and a new world superstar. After becoming the youngest player to appear and score in the MLS, he was twice named in the MLS all-star team. A $1m sponsorship deal with sports franchise Nike soon followed along with several other endorsement deals.
During the early days of his career you would find Adu's name plastered all over the internet as well as YouTube compilations of his best moments in the hope that there would be many more to come. Six years later, it is those compilations that remain at the top of the search list for Adu's name on YouTube; evidence, perhaps, that his career has stalled somewhat.
After spending two weeks in a fruitless trial at Manchester United due to work permit issues in the Winter of 2006, Adu moved from Real Salt Lake to join Portugese giants Benfica in a deal worth no more than $2m in the summer of 2007 - a steal, some said, given the potential of this wonderkid.
Adu debuted for the American national team at the age of 16.
It was to prove to be a frustrating move as, in the three years since his move he has played for Benfica no more than 25 times, with the Lisbon club instead preferring to ship him out on loan to Belenenses, Monaco and Aris, leaving him under the radar, as such. Adu has been sparingly at the trio of clubs, spending more time off the field than on it. Given the hype surrounding him, there were unrealistic expectations of Adu to turn up and run players ragged for fun, spearheading the side but this has never really materialised given his slow progression.
It is not a lack of quality that has hindered this progression but a lack of games. The 21 year-old, who made his debut for America at just 16, is of an age where players usually tend to start to make a name for themselves but, having been widely known from such a young age, he seems a lot older than he is which, in itself, adds pressure on Adu.
A move to a team where he would play regularly would be the best thing for the career of Adu, which is at a crucial stage. If he is to start performing to the standard that those closest to him know he can do then we will witness this fledging youngster turn into a man, perhaps starting a new chapter in his career that will kick-start a faltering career.
Adu is one of many players to have been dubbed the "New Pele"
Although he sparked mass interest in the MLS, you cannot help but feel that Adu was used as a marketing tool, carrying the MLS on his back, rather than having his undeniable talent nurtured by his coaches. The attention he received will have been financially beneficial to him but benefits to his game would have been much more appreciated.
When Adu left America in 2007, David Beckham came in to join LA Galaxy - effectively replacing Adu as the face of the MLS, something which appeared to suggest that there was no need for the MLS to develop its own talent when a ready-made one was there for the taking.
Since leaving America in 2007, Adu has become football's forgotten superstar. Whilst a move back to the MLS is not completely out of the question, Adu still retains a dream of playing in the Premier League - he has declared himself a Tottenham fan - citing it to be his ultimate goal in football. If he can rediscover the form that made him one of the hottest talents on the planet in 2004 I would not rule out such a move as time is very much on his side.
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