Player who most surpassed expectations

[Tugay One Cup]

As a flip side to the other thread, I thought this was a good idea.

Name one player who outperformed your expectations of them either when they first signed or from their early form.

Mine (and I suspect many other's) would be Pablo Zabaleta. Early on I just thought he was a headless chicken and totally rash; two yellow cards waiting to happen. Nine years later he leaves as a club legend who embodies nearly everything I love about my club and he put his all in at all times.

 

[Rolee]

Zabaleta was the first name that sprang to mind for me too.

Another is Bellamy, couldn't stand the twat before he signed, was gutted when he left.

 

[Silvercloud]

Ali B. Never heard of him so had zero expectations for him. Within 15 minutes I knew we had a cracker.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Another is Bellamy, couldn't stand the twat before he signed, was gutted when he left.

That's a really good shout actually. Almost forgot about him.

 

[RayCTID]

Shaun Goater

 

[Hoghead]

Dunney, a clown, a fool, a drunkard etc, until Keegan coached him into the player he became.

 

[flook]

Andy Morrison

 

[bobbyowenquiff]

Kevin Horlock

 

[Rolee]

Bosvelt is another who definitely surpassed my expectations, thought he was washed up when he signed for us, couldn't have been more wrong. Great player.

 

[pee dubya]

Probably Yaya Toure, even though i thought he was going to be an important and classy player, but the attacking side of his game i didn't really realise was there before, had no idea how skillful he was and that he had that level of goal-scoring ability in him.