5 players who forced their way back after being frozen out

David Beckham

On 11^th January 2007, David Beckham dropped the bombshell that he would leave Real Madrid at the end of the season to sign for LA Galaxy.

Two days later, Madrid manager Fabio Capello said that the midfielder had played his last game for Real Madrid, doubting his focus and commitment. 

Beckham’s exile only lasted a few weeks.

Speaking in early February, Capello said: “He has behaved like a great professional. I have seen that he is committed and that is why I have recalled him.”

After returning to the team, Beckham helped Madrid to win the La Liga title on the last day of the season.

Carlos Tevez

When Roberto Mancini asked Carlos Tevez to warm up so he could come on during a Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, it looked like the then-Manchester City striker refused.

Tevez later claimed he was already warmed up and ready to play but it didn’t make a difference. Mancini wanted him out.

When asked if he would ever pick Tevez again, the Italian said: “No. If we want to improve like a team, like a squad, Carlos cannot play with us. With me, no – it is finished.”

Of course, Tevez did eventually get back into the team. After a two-week suspension and four months of golf in Argentina, he apologised for his behaviour.

He played in each of the last ten league games of the season on City’s way to their first Premier League title.

David de Gea

It seemed that David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid was virtually inevitable in the summer 2015 transfer window.

The Manchester United goalkeeper was left out of the team for the first game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur by Louis van Gaal.

When it seemed like a deal was edging closer, the Spain international was made to train with the reserves.

A deal wasn’t agreed until the final day of the transfer window, when the infamous fax machine meant that it didn’t go through in time. De Gea stayed at Old Trafford and was back in the starting XI for the next game.

The 26-year-old has continued to excel for United and there’s been talk recently that the club want to tie him down to a new deal.

Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor was a devastating striker at his best but he had a tendency to fall out with managers.

Adebayor scored 17 league goals during his first season at Tottenham Hotspur but eventually clashed with Andre Villas-Boas.

He was made to train with the youth sides and didn’t feature in the first 11 games of 2013-14. He was then selected for a game against Man City. Spurs lost 6-0 and he never played again under AVB.

Tim Sherwood didn’t have much success as Villas-Boas’ successor but he did bring Adebayor back into the fold. The Togo international responded with 11 goals in 20 league games.

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