Players who slacked off whilst still active pros?

[Dark Savante]

Those players who although talented, decided to put their career into cruise control please.

A few in order of slackness:

#1 slacker in my mind: Steve McManaman when he played for Liverpool he was incredibly energetic up and at 'em midfielder who frequently ran 'box-to-box' not as a CM per se, but as someone who would collect the ball from wherever and run it upfield as far he could take it. One of his best goals is the one he scored against Celtic. Anyway. The guy went to Real Madrid, played decently and decided to put his feet up when he came back to the UK. OBviously you're game changes as you age. You don't run (or need to) as much as you once did, but 'macca' just gave the impression he wasn't even at 50%. After he won the CL he just looked like he lost interest in the game.

#2 Ronaldo as much as I love the guy and defend him on these boards, I'd have to say what he can give and what he does give are polar opposites. I'[ve got no doubt he'll be back to his best for Brazil at the WC and he'll silence his ever growing critics, but I've had the impression Ronaldo saves himself for particular games as he sees fit. I think he always (even when on form) plays within himself - I have made lengthy posts with my theory why he does that (mental barriers, fear true exertion will have him re-injured again) but the guy operates way inside himself, because he can get away with it. I'm sure many of us wonder what Ronaldo would look like if he was playing for his life in a few games.

#3 Dwight Yorke in some ways he's #1 on the pissed it all away chart. He was just superb and a major contributing factor to Manchester United winning the treble inc. the CL. If Yorke didn't then think he was 'the man' and become an absolute dosser, he could of gone on to be one of the players of his generation, or at least top performers of the EPL's history. His playboy lifestyle and the fact he just couldn't care less anymore after he won the treble really disappointed a lot of United fans.

#4 Matt LeTisseur was a sublime talent. Always overweight and workshy though. Throughout his entire career I wondered what he would have become if he had a better atttitude towards his own conditioning and fitness.

#5Romario the obvious guy for such lists. It's part of why people love him though. To be that good whilst not caring a jot about training says it all. What would he have been with say, Roy Keane's attitude to training and fitness?


Add yours on.

[Stud83]

I don't really think McManaman belongs on this list. B/C it's almost impossible to regain your form after playing 15 games/year for a while, mostly against weaker teams. He was 31 by the time he left RM, and probably should've ended his career there.

[Dark Savante]

I don't really think McManaman belongs on this list. B/C it's almost impossible to regain your form after playing 15 games/year for a while, mostly against weaker teams. He was 31 by the time he left RM, and probably should've ended his career there.
He was slacking at real too on a very cushy contract, almost doing a Bogarde, knowing full well he was not part of the managers plans, but sitting on a fat and comfortable contract well past sell by date. He didn't slack off just when he came to England.

[QuadrupleTree]

I think number one has to be George Best. He was the best player in the world at the age of 22 and had led his club to the top of England and Europe. His playboy lifestyle got the better of him, though, and he was sacked by United when only 27 because of his drinking and the fact he habitually missed training sessions. Even though we never got to see him in his prime, many still consider him to be the best footballer the British Isles have ever produced. It is saddening to think of what could have been.

[Excape Goat]

#5Romario the obvious guy for such lists. It's part of why people love him though. To be that good whilst not caring a jot about training says it all. What would he have been with say, Roy Keane's attitude to training and fitness?

I read an article by Bobby Robson saying that Romario stayed away from alcohol and had plenty of rest after a night out. He is 41 years old and still finished the top scorer in Brazil.

[Redshift]

I'd just like to comment on Romario, because he instantly came to my mind when this question was posed.

I take issue with the term slacker. While he is obviously not the greatest/fittest athlete (and even then, it's hard to argue with the reality that he managed, at nearly 40, to be top scorer in a league as competitive as the Brasileiro), he is unarguably one of the greatest footballers Brazil has ever produced. He simply loves life and the game of football. Romario has nothing to prove, yet he continues to play--against everyone's advice -- because he enjoys it. Even at his peak form he always was one to "curtir" the nightlife to its fullest. People have constantly criticised him for this, but I believe him when he says that it is the source of his strength, and not a detriment. To fail to grasp this is to fundamentally misunderstand the player. Romario with Roy Keane's attitude would not be Romario.

I sincerely hope that he reaches his 1000 goal milestone -- and I think he will.

[Dark Savante]

I'd just like to comment on Romario, because he instantly came to my mind when this question was posed.

I take issue with the term slacker. While he is obviously not the greatest/fittest athlete (and even then, it's hard to argue with the reality that he managed, at nearly 40, to be top scorer in a league as competitive as the Brasileiro), he is unarguably one of the greatest footballers Brazil has ever produced. He simply loves life and the game of football. Romario has nothing to prove, yet he continues to play--against everyone's advice -- because he enjoys it. Even at his peak form he always was one to "curtir" the nightlife to its fullest. People have constantly criticised him for this, but I believe him when he says that it is the source of his strength, and not a detriment. To fail to grasp this is to fundamentally misunderstand the player. Romario with Roy Keane's attitude would not be Romario.

I sincerely hope that he reaches his 1000 goal milestone -- and I think he will.

Romario and Ronaldo are my two favourite players of all time so don't missunderstand my initial post. It simply refers to players who did/do not apply themselves as best they could, but especially in regard to training or movement on the pitch.. If you read my profile of Romario you'll see the guy picked up inuries he shouldn't have when he was younger because he wasn't conditioned. Silly niggles that wouldn't have happened if he trained like normal pros. Ironically that same under exercetion now stands him in good stead because most pros who have worked themselves into the ground during their earlier days as a pro just can't play past 36-37ish as their knees etc are worn out.

[Redshift]

Romario and Ronaldo are my two favourite players of all time so don't missunderstand my initial post. It simply refers to players who did/do not apply themselves as best they could, but especially in regard to training or movement on the pitch.. If you read my profile of Romario you'll see the guy picked up inuries he shouldn't have when he was younger because he wasn't conditioned. Silly niggles that wouldn't have happened if he trained like normal pros. Ironically that same under exercetion now stands him in good stead because most pros who have worked themselves into the ground during their earlier days as a pro just can't play past 36-37ish as their knees etc are worn out.

I don't think I misunderstood you... and I wasn't criticising (except for the supposition that Romario might be a better player had he possesed a more "Roy Keanish" attitude), just stating my opinion that Romario is fine as he is. I would have loved, of course, to see his incredible technique and abilities allied with greater athleticism... but that wouldn't be Romario. I find it hillarious that he often disappears for entire matches, then magically pops out of nowhere to score goals. That's Romario for you. As you pointed out, it's part of why people love him. I am just saying take it for what it's worth. =)

[leg_breaker]

Mario Jardel

[Bertje]

Patje Kluivert, ofcourse.

[The Potter]

Patje Kluivert, ofcourse.


Carr and Butt aswell. Freddy Shepard loves pie-boys.

[The Potter]

I think you can add alot of Boro's current team to this. Viduka, Eghiou, Rochemback.