Some interesting choices. List was compiled at end of August.

15. Nicolas Anelka: "His contract was terminated with West Brom as Anelka’s skills are fading and has been a distracting figure, dating back to the French mutiny at the 2010 World Cup. Nicolas Anelka should not be signed by any self-respecting club."

14. Iker Casillas: "During Spain’s run of glory from 2008 to 2012, Iker Casillas was one of the very best goalkeepers in the world. As most of the world saw this past summer, this is no longer the case."

13. Gerard Pique: "Pique is still a fixture in headlines thanks to his wife Shakira, but has struggled to perform for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team."

12. Sebastian Giovinco: "Sebastian Giovinco’s second stint with Juventus has seen the club win two Serie A titles. Giovinco has not had much contribution to these efforts."

11. Mesut Ozil: "Ozil performed up to expectation to some extent, scoring five goals and notching nine assists in 26 Premier League matches. However, Ozil fell well short of expectations in the Champions League."

10. David Luiz: "For the most expensive defender ever, he leaves a lot to be desired on the defensive end of the pitch."

9. Jack Wilshere: "England has a knack for overhyping young talent lurking on the fringes of the national team setup. Jack Wilshere can now be considered one of these overhyped players."

8. Hulk: "To say Hulk was disappointing at the 2014 World Cup is an understatement. He has still not played in one of Europe’s five major leagues."

7. Joe Hart: "Since being named the first choice keeper, he has racked up a laundry list of blunders that have cost his team dearly. His struggles continued as the keeper for England. City still managed to win the Premier League title, almost in spite of Joe Hart’s goalkeeping."

6. Fernando Torres: "Fernando Torres was at one point the best striker in the world. At this point, Torres does not even come close to that."

5. Steven Gerrard: "After helping Liverpool to within an arm’s reach of the Premier League title, his slip against Chelsea allowed Demba Ba to score the decisive goal which doomed Liverpool to a second place finish. Gerrard went on to captain England in the World Cup, but played a crucial role in their demise."

4. Franck Ribery: "Despite finding success in the Bundesliga, Ribery has struggled in his role with the French national team."

3. Wayne Rooney: "Rooney finally managed to score his first goal at the World Cup this past summer, but he has had a career of national team blunders."

2. Nani: "Nani has struggled significantly over his last two seasons with Manchester United. After signing a five year contract extension with Manchester United in September 2013, Nani was loaned out to Sporting Lisbon on a season long loan in 2014. In his debut game against Arouca, Nani had a horrific performance which included a yellow card, a missed penalty, and his substitution in the 77th minute."

1. Pepe: Pepe received a red card and doomed Portugal to a crushing defeat. Pepe was left out of Real Madrid’s Champions League Final lineup, possibly because of his red card risk. With his physical gifts fading, Pepe’s trademark intensity may be more of a distraction than strength.

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