Michael Johnson during his playing days and (right) last night. Credit: Press Association and Twitter
THE SHOCKING PICTURE of a portly Michael Johnson standing in a takeaway (above) which surfaced on Twitter last night has been swiftly followed by news this morning that the 24-year-old. who hasn't played since 2009, was released by Manchester City before Christmas.
After such a promising start to his career, a spate of injuries saw his progress hindered and in 2011 he joined Leceister City on a season-long loan which was terminated early. Reportedly showing a bad attitude to professional football, he was twice arrested for drink-driving last year which prompted the club to cut their losses and offer him a severance package.
It's an astonishing fall from grace for a player who made his senior debut at 18 and was tipped to establish himself as an England international.
Below, we look back at ten players who seemed destined for a career at the top - but never fulfilled their potential.