Many players in the past have made the mistake of waiting too long to transfer to a new club. Whether it was due to their loyalty to their current team, fear of making a big move, or other reasons, these five players could have had even more successful careers if they had transferred earlier.
Here are five players who should have moved earlier in their career.
- David Villa
David Villa is a Spanish football legend who rose to prominence after his incredible performance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot for his goal-scoring brilliance. After his success in the World Cup, Villa joined FC Barcelona, but at the age of 28, many felt that he had missed out on the prime years of his career at Valencia. Despite his move to Barcelona, Villa continued to be a dominant force in the game, scoring 20+ goals in his first season and helping the club win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles.
Although Villa went on to play for Atletico Madrid, Melbourne City, New York City, and Vissel Kobe before his retirement, many feel that his move to Barcelona was too late in his career. Nevertheless, Villa will always be remembered as a goal-scoring machine and one of the most skilled strikers in the game.
- Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie’s transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United in 2012 was a highly debated move that sparked controversy among fans. However, many believe that the Dutch striker missed out on a more illustrious career by making the move so late in his career. During his 8-year stint with Arsenal, Van Persie only managed to win the FA Cup, while watching the team’s decline in the Premier League rankings.
Van Persie was a formidable goal-scorer for Arsenal, showcasing his skills as a center-forward and scoring an impressive 37 goals in all competitions in his final season. Despite his efforts, he only managed to win one Premier League title after joining Manchester United, but he could have achieved much more if he had moved to a more competitive team sooner. His move to Manchester United came just as Arsenal’s decline was beginning, and he may have missed out on several major title wins had he joined a more ambitious club earlier in his career.
- Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer is a legendary name in the Premier League, known for his impressive goal-scoring abilities. His talent was recognized early in his career, with Sir Alex Ferguson even offering him a spot-on Manchester United’s roster. However, Shearer chose to join Newcastle United instead.
During his time with Newcastle, Shearer became the club’s all-time top scorer in the league, with over 200 goals to his name. Despite his impressive achievements, Shearer was unable to bring any medals or trophies to the club. Had he made a different choice earlier in his career and moved to another club in search of titles, it’s possible that Shearer’s career could have been even more successful.
- Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry is a legendary striker who made his mark in the Premier League with Arsenal. Under the guidance of manager Arsene Wenger, Henry became one of the best strikers in the league and played a crucial role in Arsenal’s unbeaten league title winning season. He consistently scored more than 30 goals a season, cementing his status as a top scorer.
However, Henry’s love affair with Arsenal came to an end when he made a move to FC Barcelona in 2007. Despite his loyalty to Wenger and Arsenal, Henry was drawn to the Spanish giants, who offered him the chance to play with some of the best players in Europe. With Barcelona, Henry went on to win several titles, including the Champions League, but he could have achieved even more success had he left Arsenal a few years earlier. Overall, Thierry Henry’s move to FC Barcelona marked the end of an era, but it also opened up a new chapter in his illustrious career.
- Daniele De Rossi
Daniele De Rossi was a stalwart in the AS Roma squad, with fans never imagining him leaving the club after spending nearly his entire career with them. He was a dominant force in the center of the field, known for his no-nonsense approach and fierce determination to help his team come out on top.
However, in 2019, De Rossi made the surprise move to join Boca Juniors. Unfortunately, his time at the club was underwhelming as he arrived at a stage in his career where his best years were behind him. Had he stayed with Roma, there’s no doubt that he would have continued to dominate the field and bring home more victories.
