Royston Drenthe could have been one of the signings of last season, brought to Everton on loan from Real Madrid, but it didn't really pan out that way.
He had a bright start, but by March one late arrival for training too many irked boss David Moyes so much he was dropped from the FA Cup semi-final squad and told to 'stay away'.
Even as a free agent, Moyes was not persuaded to bring Drenthe back to Merseyside, and nobody else in the Premier League was willing to either.
After spending the first half of the season without a club, the Dutchman finally clinched a move to Russian side Alania Vladikadvaz.
He has this week had some interesting comments to make, admitting he should really have listened to David Moyes a bit more:
"Moyes was right, I had no discipline in Liverpool. The Everton coach opened my eyes, I spoke ill of him saying that he had the right to talk like that. however I can now say that he was right."
It's funny what a few months without a club, looking for work, and ending up at one of Russia's smaller teams can do, but Drenthe has seen the light.
Aged 25, there's still very much a chance for the midfielder to bounce back; let's hope for his sake he can get his career back on track.
If he could maintain a good attitude, would you ever have Drenthe back at Goodison Park?
image: © juanjaen
Dan Coombs
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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.
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