From Santiago Bernabeu to certain Ligue 1 side's reserve squad
Unlucky, injured day-to-day or have just lost the touch.
Looking at forgotten footballers who were at top, but made to ruin chances in front of spotlights.
Recognized as the sleepyhead of one Real Madrid, this Martinique international found himself dropping terribly after Premiership departure in the spring of 2012. Our lengthy list starts off with Julien Faubert.
Praised for his speed and later nicknamed 'The Express Train', Faubert began his career at lower-league side AS Cannes. Most oftenly appearing on the right-back position, the Frenchman had to adjust to the right midfielder and winger spot more than once for his crossing was apparently marvellous.
Le Havre-born defender made Cannes debut in 2002 and remained at Stade Pierre de Coubertin for two seasons, slotting home four times in 45 appearances. Faubert then, in July 2004, arrived to where he is now - Girondins Bordeaux.
The ex-France international did once again what was expected of him. He quickly became a starter under manager Michel Pavon who led the team towards Champions League. Faubert fired home twice that year to ensure third place of group stage and progressing to the UEFA Cup later on.
Ending adventures at Bordeaux with 96 recorded caps and making France debut in the process, West Ham transfer went through in the summer of 2007 for a price in a range of £6.1 million. The five-year contract meant keeping the French prospect in London until May 2012.
Faubert got heavily injured in a pre-season match versus Sigma Olomuc, meaning he would have to postpone his long-expected Premier League debut with the Hammers. He entered the Boleyn Ground field in January 2008 versus city rivals Fulham, nearly six months since suffering a ruptured achilles tendon. Despite featuring just one minute of that game, he went on to become defender no.1 in the following season. And soon enough Real Madrid scouts started visiting the Upton Park.
New Madrid player Julien Faubert was officially introduced on February 2, 2009. La Liga runners-up had to cash out £1.5 million for until the end of the season, with an option of purchasing the right-footed back on a three-year contract if he meets the expectations.
This was the beginning of one farce. The press described his loan using one word and one word only - underwhelming. Thinking he had a day off one Sunday of April, Faubert did not show up for Real training session. 'The boy got confused, nothing more,' claimed Juande Ramos, ex-Madrid gaffer.
But it was next month when Faubert made the decisive mistake which secured him one-way ticket back to London. How much errors can one make without even playing? The Frenchman was up to that job. Falling asleep on bench whilst his teammates work hard to take the win against Villarreal is what labelled his poor two-match loan. Not much later, he was among shortlisted men for Real Madrid Top 10 worst transfers ever.
Despite unwanted drop during the time in the capital of Spain, Faubert returned to great performances in West Ham jersey and won the 'Best Performance of the Season' for goal plus assist in a Hull City clash in February 2010. He was pushed back the following season, as West Ham signed Blackburn's full-back Lars Jacobsen. After being left out from the bench for Birmingham City game, Faubert had left the stadium, later claiming he rushed to the hospital to take care of his ill newborn son.
West Ham failed to avoid relegation that season and some sources claimed Faubert is on exit door. Instead, he extended his West Ham adventures for one more season and continued providing assists in the Championship. Finally, the Frenchman was released in May 2012, due to contract expiry.
Furthermore, Faubert joined a club that remains relatively unfamiliar with us - Elazigspor. The 31-year-old appeared on 16 occasions in the Super Lig, the highest division of Turkish football, scoring one. He left after six months with the Turks.
Finally, the returnee joined Bordeaux in closing hours of winter transfer window 2013. Occasional Martinique national team and Bordeaux B player ended the league season goalless and seems to be thousands of miles away from when he was sleeping at the Bernabeu bench. Bad luck, lad, bad luck.
Source: DSG
