21 January 2024 , 07:30
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There’s been a host of wonderkids in the Premier League backed to become some of the best players in world football.
Starlets from Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and many more have broken into their respective sides in the top-flight. With the world at their feet, some have gone on to fulfil that potential, while others have disappeared into obscurity since their breakthroughs.
Back in 2013, the Premier League could boast even more exciting youngsters but where are they now? Mirror Football takes a look…
Gregor Zabret
Brought to English football by Swansea City in 2013 from Domzale, he stayed in Wales for just under seven years - while he also had a brief loan spell at Oldham Athletic. Zabret saw his Swansea contract terminated in 2020.
He then dipped into non-league with Ashton Athletic before signing for Aberystwyth Town. The now 28-year-old has been without a club since 2022.
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Calum Chambers
While Zabret never kicked off his Premier League career, Chambers enjoyed far more success. A product of the Southampton academy, he earned a move to Arsenal in 2014.
The defender made 122 appearances for the Gunners. He also had loan spells with Middlesbrough and Fulham before leaving permanently for Aston Villa midway through the 2021/22 season. He has fallen out of favour at Villa Park and looks set to pursue an exit from the Midlands sooner rather than later.
Nathan Ake
Arguably one of the most successful players on this list, the Dutchman was at Chelsea when he was touted as one of the most promising stars in the Premier League. Loan moves at Reading, Watford and Bournemouth saw Ake build his experience ahead of a permanent switch to the latter.
Upon the Cherries’ relegation to the Championship, he was tempted to Manchester City in 2020. Ake has since gone on to become a key member of Pep Guardiola ’s squad and helped the side to an historic treble last term.
Nathan Ake is now a key player at Man City after kicking off his career with Chelsea (Getty Images)Who is the most disappointing failed wonderkid in Premier League history? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Nathaniel Chalobah
Another product of the Chelsea academy, Chalobah made just 15 first team appearances for the Blues - Watford, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Reading and Napoli all counting themselves among his temporary employers.
Chalobah quit Stamford Bridge for good in 2017 with a permanent move to Watford where he went on to make 85 appearances. Fulham was then his next port of call for a couple of seasons before a switch to West Brom this summer.
Luke Shaw
Alongside Chambers, Shaw was another promising defender to break through at Southampton. After 67 appearances for the Saints, he was signed by Man United for £30m.
His first few seasons at Old Trafford were ruined by injury - a horrific leg-break sidelining him in 2015. Shaw though has gone on to make 270 appearances for the Red Devils and has helped the side to the EFL Cup and Europa League.
Gedion Zelalem
Born in Germany, midfielder Zelalem was a product of the Arsenal academy. He made four senior appearances for the Gunners alongside loans to Rangers and VVV-Venlo.
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Zelalem has failed to reach his potential and left the club for Sporting Kansas City. He moved across the MLS to New York City and is now in the second division of Dutch football with Den Bosch.
James Ward-Prowse
An 11-time England international, Ward-Prowse is a legendary figure at boyhood club Southampton. In 12 years in the first-team at St Mary’s, he made over 400 appearances, scored 55 goals and captained the South Coast side.
Having become the club’s record appearance maker in the Premier League, Ward-Prowse only left the club in the most recent summer transfer window. He completed a £30m move to West Ham upon Southampton’s relegation and has gone on to continue his excellent showings in London.
James Ward-Prowse continues to shine with West Ham (Getty Images)Jeremie Boga
Now 27, Ivorian winger Jeremie Boga has been on quite the journey since kicking off his career with Chelsea. He made just one senior appearance for the Blues, while he also had loan spells with Rennes, Granada and Birmingham.
Boga eventually quit Stamford Bridge permanently for Sassuolo in 2018. He appeared to settle with the Italian club before a switch across Serie A to Atalanta and he now finds himself with Nice.
Adnan Januzaj
After making one of the most memorable debuts for Manchester United - two goals in a come-from-behind win against Sunderland - the Belgian winger was a member of the Red Devils’ first team for two seasons under David Moyes. Borussia Dortmund then signed him on loan for the second-half of the 2015/16 campaign.
He struggled in Germany and then linked up with Moyes once more during a loan spell at Sunderland. Januzaj quit Old Trafford for good with a move to Real Sociedad and has gone on to play for Sevilla and Istanbul Basaksehir.
Serge Gnabry
Following a spell with Arsenal and a failed loan move with West Bromwich Albion, it would have been difficult to predict the success that Serge Gnabry has enjoyed since. The German winger was snapped up by Werder Bremen after his spell in England.
Gnabry’s impressive form with the German side convinced Bayern Munich to move for him. He has gone on to make 229 appearances for the Bundesliga champions and scored 82 goals, while also winning five league titles and the Champions League.
Lucas Piazon
Now 30, Brazilian wideman Lucas Piazon was a Chelsea player for a grand total of ten years before he finally quit the club in 2021. He made just three appearances for the Blues, while he was sent on loans to Malaga, Vitesse, Eintracht Frankfurt, Reading, Fulham, Chievo Verona and Rio Ave.
He eventually moved to Portuguese side Braga on a permanent deal. Piazon spent the past season on loan back in his home country with Botafogo. He has not played for parent club Braga since the 2021/22 season.