David Bentleyโฆ remember the name?
Itโs been a while since weโve seen his slick hairstyle adorn our TV screens. Way too long.
So what has happened to the man who, at one time, many believed could provide the lack of creativity the English national team had been suffering from?
Well, this past season he has been playing for Russian side FC Rostov on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in a bid to get regular soccerโฆ before getting injured and finishing the season with ex-club Blackburn Rovers on loan.
Today it was announced his contract is up at Spurs and he is looking for potential new clubs. Plenty of EPL sides are said to be interested in the former Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers and Spurs midfielder.
But just how did his career nosedive from one of Englandโs greatest up and coming talents, to playing for a side that finished fourth from bottom in the Russian Premier League?
There have been plenty of factors that have led to him slipping away to South East Russia and then the Championship, to get away from it all for a season. Injuries have stalled his progress since moving to Tottenham, even after more loan moves away from White Hart Lane with West Ham and Birmingham, Bentley suffered massive knock-backs that further curtailed his career.
His attitude has also been questioned by plenty of managers in the past, Harry Redknapp being one of them. With Bentley excited that Spurs had clinched a spot in next seasons Champions League, he soaked Redknapp with a bucket of water during the post-match press conference.
His days at Spurs were numbered after that.
Bentley also faced drink-driving charges in 2009 after crashing his Porsche and a spate of other smaller incidents made sure his spiral on the pitch was mirrored off it.
As we mentioned before, Bentleyโs talent is unquestionable and he has played seven times for England. But he fell out of favor with the England setup after refusing to play for the U-21 side in the 2007 European Championships. He was booed by England fans when he made his full debut soon after.
Despite all those controversial moments, Bentley is still only 28. He has plenty of season ahead of him to flourish and regain some of the accolades thrown his way when he first burst on the scene.
But time is running out.
However I will leave you with a little reminder of what Bentley can do. Just watch this first goal in the video below. Wouldnโt this man be useful to any EPL club outside the top four? I think so
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UASYr7lRIZo?rel=0&w=450&h=350%5D
