The vices of fame have claimed the careers of many promising footballers.
Former Everton prodigy Jose Baxter admits he only has himself to blame as he finds himself banned and unattached, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The Bootle-born forward remains the fifth youngest player ever to feature in the Premier League after making his debut as a precocious 16-year-old back in 2008, drawing inevitable yet ill-fated comparisons with a certain Wayne Rooney.
However, while the current Manchester United and England captain has suffered an alarming drop in form, his long and short-term future questioned for both club and country, his plight is incomparable to that of Baxter’s.
The now-24-year-old will miss the entirety of the current season after testing positive for cocaine in February, a revelation that cost him his contract with League One side Sheffield United.
Baxter refreshingly acknowledges that the ‘privileged’ life of a young footballer meant he lost track of reality but is hopeful that he can still carve out a respectable career in the professional game.
“There is only myself who can do this,” said Baxter, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. “I have been stupid for putting myself in situations.
“I will be the first to hold my hands up and say I was ‘silver spooned’ at Everton.
“I didn’t realise what I had and, up until this happened, I didn’t realise how privileged I was. It made me hungrier and I want it more than ever.”
Though Baxter failed to fulfil the initial expectations that accompanied his 15 first team appearances for Everton, he had enjoyed impressive spells at Oldham Athletic and Sheffield United in the lower leagues.
However, despite his obvious talent, it remains to be seen which, if any, club is willing to take a chance on a player with two separate long-term drug bans blackening his name.
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