Adel Taarabt is no stranger to turning down or missing opportunities.
Despite playing for France at every youth level, the young attacking midfielder turned his back on the chance at consistent appearances in international tournaments to represent Morocco. Not for the first time in Taarabt’s career, a decision of the heart perhaps outweighed the head.
After impressing Premier League scouts with his displays as a precocious teenager at Lens, was snapped up by Tottenham Hotspur after only playing once for senior division of the French side.
Taarabt picked Tottenham over Arsenal when making his move to England, denying himself the opportunity of being nurtured by development expert Arsene Wenger at the Gunners and instead found himself in a Tottenham Hotspur side managed by Juande Ramos, who had more concerns than the stagnating talent sitting in his reserves.
“I would have had a better chance at Arsenal. I would progress with Arsène Wenger. He is a legend in France, one of the best managers in the world,” Taarabt regretfully told the Evening Standard in 2011.
Taarabt’s words were true, as he was unfavoured next to other options in Harry Redknapp’s squad and only made nine appearances in two years at White Hart Lane.
The youngster lost patience with his limited opportunities, informing Redknapp that he had to leave “for the sake of his career.” He stayed in London, signing a loan deal with Queens Park Rangers that became permanent from 2010.
Taarabt shone at QPR, winning Championship Player of the Year and being the near sole difference maker as the Loftus Road club shot into the Premier League. Finally able to showcase his talent, Taarabt was the star at QPR, displaying flashes of true footballing brilliance as he bobbed and weaved past Premier League defenders, seeming to create a Youtube-video worthy highlight weekly.
Suddenly Taarabt had escaped the Zidane comparisons and began to earn his own identity as the maverick playmaker pulling the strings behind QPR’s sudden Premier League prominence, with former coach Redknapp comparing him to another London club legend – Paolo Di Canio.
“He can do things that nobody else can do. No one can do what he can do. He’s amazing,” Redknapp wistfully told the Evening Standard in 2012.
“He nutmegs people and he goes past two or three and they’re hanging on to him but they can’t get the ball off him.
“I never wanted to let him go at Tottenham, I was scared to let him go. I always felt he had a value even if he wasn’t starting.”
It seemed the Moroccan had the world at his feet, but once again the promise faded when QPR were relegated at the end of the 2012-13 season. Loaned to Fulham, Taarabt has continued to display the flashes of what has made him such an enticing prospect over the last four years but in smaller doses. The phrase “unpredictable” became “inconsistent” as Taarabt’s attitude on the pitch began to wear at the product himself.
Now, it seems that the winger has been offered an olive branch, an opportunity to shine on the stage that many think his talent merits. Clarence Seedorf’s reign is just beginning at at AC Milan, and his first real risk may be affording a squad place to such a polarizing player, especially when one of the world’s most frustrating footballers is already starting up front for the Rossoneri.
His six-month loan at AC Milan is sort of like an internship at the BBC for a trainee journalist. You want to prove yourself at a big club? Ok, here’s one. Fit in. Taarabt has talent, and the mentality to apply it is easier to translate than the natural ability the forward possesses. But whether the awareness to realize an opportunity and determination to make the most of it is there is another question. Until now, Taarabt’s career is a road-map of regrets and mystery.
“I’ll give 100% and I hope we’ll have some fun together,” Taarabt told press on his unveiling as a Milan player. Milan fans hope the first promise comes true before the second one.
