From academy rejection to football stardom: discover inspiring stories of players like Declan Rice and Jamie Vardy who overcame setbacks to become top professionals. Learn how resilience and determination turned their careers around.
From academy rejection to football stardom
1) Declan Rice
Released by Chelsea’s academy at 14 due to perceived lack of physicality and positional uncertainty, Rice joined West Ham United’s academy instead. He quickly rose through the ranks, made his first-team debut at 18, became West Ham captain, won the UEFA Europa Conference League, and earned a record £100 million transfer to Arsenal. Now he is one of Arsenal’s main men and recently deposited a double-whammy on Real Madrid in the Champions League Quarter Final stage.
He is now one of the world’s best midfielders and a key England international. Last year he was considered not worth his price tag but this season he has proved that he is worth every penny spent on him. His versatile nature allows Arsenal to attack and defend without any added responsibility.
2) Jadon Sancho
Released by Watford’s academy at a young age, Sancho joined Manchester City’s youth setup but struggled to break into the first team. He moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he became one of Europe’s most exciting wingers, earning a big-money return to the Premier League with Manchester United.
Although hsi Manchester United movie did not work out but he has shown glimpses at his LOan moves that he still has the skill, he just needs the right environment to grow. Last year he was sent on a loan to Dortmund to see if he can get his game back and now he is on loan to Chelsea. He has impressed with his game play but has not been very prolific in front of the goal.
3) Riyad Mahrez
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Overlooked by several French academies, Mahrez started in lower leagues before joining Leicester City. He played a pivotal role in Leicester’s miraculous 2015-16 Premier League title win and became a star at Manchester City and Algeria’s national team.
His move to Manchester City marked a great steal as the quality that he had on the ball was unmatched. He has also now moved to Al-Ahli Saudi FC and now is loving life in the Saudi pro league.
4) Jamie Vardy
Released by Sheffield Wednesday at age 16 for being “too small,” Vardy dropped into non-league football and worked in a factory. He climbed the football pyramid, eventually joining Leicester City and leading them to a historic Premier League title, becoming an England international and one of the league’s top strikers.
His contribution to the club can never be forgotten as his most iconic achievement came during the 2015-16 season when Leicester City shocked the world by winning the Premier League title. Vardy was instrumental in this historic run, scoring 24 goals and finishing second in the Golden Boot race.
5) Harry Kane
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Let go by Arsenal’s academy at age 8, Kane was considered not athletic enough. He joined Tottenham Hotspur’s academy, where he gradually developed into one of the Premier League’s most prolific goal-scorers and England’s captain.
He recently has gotten hold of his first career trophy with Bayern Munich as they have won the Bundesliga league title. Everybody knows what a lethal striker he is and what he can do. He is also the highest goal scorer this season in the Bundesliga and nobody has a doubt of what he can do.
