Footballers rejected by clubs as youngsters, including Harry Kane at Arsenal and Marcus Rashford at Manchester City

Footballers rejected by clubs as youngsters, including Harry Kane at Arsenal and Marcus Rashford at Manchester City
Kylian Mbappe once had a trial at Premier League clubChelsea before he decided to join Monaco’s youth team.The 19-year-old decided the south of France instead of south west London was where he thought he had the best chance of developing his talent.I was still young back then, maybe 10 or 11. I went to London and spent just under a week over there. I trained at Chelsea and we played a friendly match against Charlton,” he has said.We won 6-0 or 7-0. I played upfront, but I dont think I scored. It was great it was my first experience abroad and a chance for me to see what the game was like in England. He’s still only 19, but has already secured a 165m switch to Paris Saint-Germain and won the World Cup with France.Here, though,talkSPORT.comlooks at players who were rejected by big clubs when they were younger, beginning with Mario Balotelli and Barcelona, whowill definitely feel they dodged a bullet.11

11. Mario Balotelli at Barcelona scroll through the gallery to see more footballer who were rejected as youngsters – Balotelli's family secured the young Italian a trial at Barca in June 2006. However, doubts about his attitude meant the deal never went ahead despite scoring an impressive five goals.

11

10. Marcus Rashford at Man City – At the age of nine, Fletcher Moss Rangers Rashford was on Manchester Citys radar. The club was walking distance from his family home, but he was deemed to small and Man United capitalised to beat their rivals to the striker's signature. They didnt fancy him because he was a bit on the small side and didnt pick him up, Fletcher Moss Rangers club secretary Ron Jamieson said.

11

9. Diego Costa at Corinthians, Palmeiras and Santos – Brazil-born Costa never made it to one of the country's top club academies, due to a lack of proper scouting rather than a lack of talent. He was eventually spotted at 15 by agent Jorge Mendes who took him across the Atlantic to Braga.

11

8. Roy Keane at Brighton – Desperate for a trial at any club, a 15-year-old Keane thought he had one at Brighton, but the club cancelled it the day before because they heard he was too small. This is the same Roy Keane who was the heartbeat of Man Uniteds success in the 1990s and early noughties. Undeterred, Keane wrote to Football League clubs asking for a trial and was eventually signed by Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1990 before joining United three years later.

11

7. Antoine Griezmann at Lyon – As a boy, Griezmann was rejected by a host of clubs including Lyon, Auxerre, Saint-Etienne and Sochaux. The clubs cited his lack of height for their decisions.

11

6. Luke Shaw at Chelsea – A boyhood Chelsea fan, Shaw played at the club's Guildford development centre, but wasn't offered an academy place. Instead, Shaw joined the Southampton academy aged eight and stayed there until his big money move to Man United in 2014.

11

5. Harry Kane at Arsenal – Kane spent a year in the Arsenal academy before being released, due to a lack of height and pace. In 2015, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger said he was disappointed the club had chosen to release Kane. I didnt know, I read it in the papers, the former manager said. I found it quite funny, you know, and you are always a bit angry as well because I asked: Why did he go? But at that age, boys can move here and there.

11

4. Javier Zanetti at Independiente – As a teen, Zanetti was told by Independiente's youth academy he didn't have the physique to succeed in the game. The Argentine ended up playing 868 times for Inter, winning a host of silverware in an incredible career.

11

3. Ruud Gullit at Arsenal – When he was 19, Gullit had a trial at Arsenal but was turned down because manager Terry Neill couldn't justify the 300,000 price tag. "Every manager has a skeleton in his cupboard and Gullit is certainly mine," Neill, who managed the club between 1976 and 1983, said.

11

2. Franco Baresi at Inter – If things had turned out differently, the Milan legend could have ended up playing for their bitter rivals, Inter, where his brother was playing. I wanted to follow him so I had a trial first with Inter, and they said, Well, come back next year. But my coach took me to Milan, and there I was accepted, although it took a couple of trials. They were worried about my size, that I wouldn't grow much, or toughen up. I was only 14 at the time. Baresi ended up playing 719 games between 1977 and 1997 for the club and was crowned 'Player of the Century.'

11

1. Ronaldo at Flamengo – As a teenager, Ronaldo was turned down by his favourite club Flamengo. He joined Cruzeiro instead and scored 44 goals in 47 games and went on to become one of football's greatest ever players. Among other players, he starred for Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid as well as winning the World Cup with Brazil and has 15 strikes to his name in the tournament.

---

Meanwhile, former England, Newcastle and West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes Solskjaer has lost his magic touch. "Ole has finally found out what managing Manchester United is like," he told
Manchester United should sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for

---

Tottenham are sweating on the availability of Jan Vertonghen and Harry Winks ahead of Saturday's north London derby against Arsenal. Both men are set to have late fitness tests on have hip injuries. Vertonghen's was picked up in the build-up to.. • Sports • newsR: Friday, 1 March 2019
Vertonghen and Winks Doubtful over NLD Clash With Arsenal

---

Petr Cech has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal after speculation of a return to Chelsea this summer, insisting his "sole focus" is on helping the Gunners win the Europa League.The 37-year
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Granit Xhaka says Premier League should

---

Why are Chelsea playing a friendly in Boston? Is Christian Pulisic involved? Who will feature ahead of Arsenal Europa League final?
Arsenal Live - Arsenal News - Why are Chelsea playing a

---

RB Leipzig have joined the race to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi with a £20 million bid and the option of a buy-back clause for Chelsea. According to The Mail, Bayern Munich are ready to up their bid

---

Manchester City vs Tottenham: Premier League title chase is OVER if club don't beat Spurs, says former defender Danny Mills goals,last match,Manchester City vs,Tottenham vs,Spurs vs
Manchester City vs Tottenham 1-0 Ian wright Match Analysis

---

Peterborough director Barry Fry resigns from club's board

---

Anthony Martial has ended speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Manchester United worth £200,000 a week. His previous deal was due to expire in the summer of 2020.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer concerned by Anthony Martial's collapse

---

Harry Kane says he's pleased to have both Callum Hudson-Odoi and Declan Rice in the England senior squad. The Chelsea teenager was promoted from the under-21s after Luke Shaw pulled out through injury while the West Ham midfielder got his first call-up after switching allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.
Harry Kane: England captain delighted to have Callum Hudson

---

David Hopkin has resigned as manager of League One strugglers Bradford City after less than six months in charge. The 48-year-old Scot replaced Michael Collins in September, but only won seven of
David Hopkin resigns as Bradford City manager after six

---

Jason McAteer was sent off during a Star Sixes event after kicking Michael Owen on Sunday evening. The former Liverpool stars were involved in an off-the ball clash which saw Owen also kick out at the former Republic of Ireland international.
Former Liverpool stars Michael Owen and Jason McAteer kick

---

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has postponed a round of domestic matches to permit Ajax an extended break ahead of their Champions League semifinal first leg at Tottenham on April 30.Ajax
Champions League Semi-final: Dutch FA Cancels Eredivisie
bestchoicesports.com.ng/champions-league-semi-final-dutch-fa-cancels-eredivisie-games-to-protect-ajax/
Dutch football chiefs have cancelled a full round of Eredivisie fixtures before Ajax meet Tottenham in the Champions League semi-finals. Ajax were set to play De Graafschap on Sunday, 28 April, then travel to Spurs for the first leg on Tuesday, 30 April. The Dutch FA, the KNVB, said the decision to cancel top-flight fixtures […]
Champions League: Dutch FA cancels Eredivisie games before

---

Crystal Palace troll Newcastle Jets as new kit has striking

---

Chelsea transfer news: Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eden Hazard latest shirt next season after snubbing interest from Bayern Munich, who made four offers for the
Transfer Talk: Chelsea given £30m price tag for Bayern Munich

---