With the PFA awards edging nearer, there will be plenty of talk about Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane as he looks the favourite to win it – but is it always a sign of success for the future?
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Yes, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs are among its previous winners, but there have also been some less spectacular players along the way…
1) Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal, 1998/99)
A player who looked incredible as a teenager for Arsenal, Nicolas Anelka did still go on to have a decent Premier League career, though he often struggled for consistency and was more notable for his attitude problems, never truly looking like one who would win the senior version of the prize.
2) Harry Kewell (Leeds United, 1999/00)
An exciting young winger during his Leeds United days, Harry Kewell did end up playing for a big name in Liverpool, but injuries prevented him from ever really fulfilling his potential.
3) Craig Bellamy (Newcastle United, 2001/02)
A disappointing career for one who looked top class in his early days, Craig Bellamy is another player who has his career ruined by personality difficulties, though he had his moments at Liverpool and Manchester City.
4) Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle United, 2002/03)
Hugely overhyped when he first burst onto the scene with Newcastle, Jermaine Jenas never did much of note despite a long career at Tottenham Hotspur.
5) Scott Parker (Charlton Athletic/Chelsea, 2003/04)
A player who may well have done more if he hadn’t joined Chelsea when he did, Scott Parker looked terrific as a youngster at Charlton, but never got the playing time at Stamford Bridge before a few underwhelming years at mid-table clubs like Newcastle and West Ham before a brief renaissance at Spurs.
6) Ashley Young (Aston Villa, 2008/09)
He may be on form at the moment, but Ashley Young has certainly not lived up to the potential he showed as a youngster at Aston Villa, never looking a contender to win the senior Player of the Year award.
7) James Milner (Aston Villa, 2009/10)
One superb season with Aston Villa also propelled James Milner to stardom and earned him his big move to Manchester City, though he has been little more than a squad player since then.
8) Jack Wilshere (Arsenal, 2010/11)
Who knows what Jack Wilshere could still achieve if he gets over his injury problems, but it certainly looks like he’s a long way off ever coming close to winning PFA Player of the Year despite his Young Player prize in 2011.
9) Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur, 2011/12)
Hyped up way too soon, Kyle Walker has faded into obscurity since his breakthrough season in 2011/12 that saw him scoop the Young Player gong.