To the surprise of many, summer 2019 saw the Premier League return of serial troublemaker and contract-terminator Ravel Morrison. Still just 26-years-old, the enigmatic Mancunian has already tested the waters of no less than nine different clubs across England, Italy, Mexico and Sweden. Infamous among football fans as one of the foremost unfulfilled talents of his time, Morrison has been given perhaps his final shot in the top flight with Sheffield United. His 12-month-contract is testament to the trouble-laden spells that have shaped the past five years of his career away from the Premier League, but could this finally be the time he gets it right?
A Look Back
Having been brought up by his grandparents in the Manchester United stronghold of Wythenshawe, it seemed fitting that Morrison was snapped up by the Red Devils as a youngster. He enjoyed a stellar youth career, as Rio Ferdinand recounts Sir Alex Ferguson calling himself and Wayne Rooney over to watch the then 14-year-old play. “This is the best kid you will ever see” said Ferguson, a gauntlet laid down by the legendary Scotsman that would haunt Morrison for the rest of his young, troubled career.
In the 2011 FA Youth Cup Final he lined up alongside Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Michael Keane. Alongside these now distinguished internationals it was Morrison who lit up the pitch, scoring twice to help United to a 6-3 aggregate victory. After notching three league cup appearances for the senior team however, Morrison and United parted ways in 2012 amid a wealth of off the field problems including domestic violence allegations and social media mishaps.
The Hammers: What could have been
Generally perceived as a rough diamond in the football world, Morrison was not short of potential suitors as he eventually put pen to paper with West Ham. At 19-years-old he was sent on a season-long-loan to Championship side Birmingham City where, despite Blues boss Lee Clarke almost terminating the loan deal early due to friction between the pair, Morrison went on to notch 30 appearances in what was his first taste of regular first-team football.
The following season however was when he really began to make his mark. In 2013/14 he managed 13 goals in 33 appearances from centre midfield across a 6-month loan spell with QPR and a run of games with his parent club West Ham. Despite this impressive showing, including a playground-style goal having run past everyone from the halfway line against Tottenham, Morrison was again sent back to the Championship on loan the following season with Cardiff. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce claimed it was not Morrison’s ability that needed to be proven, but rather his temperament.
The loan spell in South Wales began with a man of the match performance in what was to be his only start for Cardiff. Though sure enough, at 22-years-old the agreement was to be terminated early with manager Russell Slade claiming Morrison had “no future at the club”. Just one year after he had endeared himself to English fans by dazzling for West Ham, his contract there was terminated early too. Big Sam went on to say that Ravel was “the biggest waste of talent I have ever worked with”.
Lazio: From bad to worse
In showing his raw ability for a brief period in East London, Morrison had done enough to tempt Italian giants Lazio into offering him a whopping four-year-deal. It was no secret that offering such a lengthy contract to such a volatile figure was a huge gamble. Those behind the scenes were not oblivious to the fact, as Lazio director Igli Tare cited in 2015 Morrison’s “undoubted world class quality, as well as being a little mad”. 2 goals and 2 assists in a pre-season match served as validation for Tare’s claim, though ultimately Morrison would go on to register a dismal 4 Serie A appearances in a 4 year spell at Lazio that crashed before it had got out of first gear.
Lazio manager Stefano Pioli criticised Morrison at the end of the 2015/16 season for his lack of effort and inability to speak Italian. Subsequently, the final two years of his Lazio contract were spent out on loan as his career began to enter into a self-destructing tailspin, firstly back at QPR making five goalless appearances, and then out in Mexico with Atlas. Mercifully, the dramatic change of scenery perhaps helped the tricky midfielder find his feet in Liga MX as he racked up a steady 25 appearances, netting 4 times.
Morrison’s permanent move to Mexico never materialised however due to numerous manager ins and outs during the course of the season. His failure to land a permanent deal left him out of contract with Lazio and out in the big, wide footballing world to search for a club who were willing to gamble with a bet that was, up to that point, a proven loser. Morrison’s subsequent six-month -deal with Swedish minnows Ostersund told the whole story, and 9 games later they opted not to extend his contract due to recurring injury problems and his high salary. As he lay in reflection that night I’m sure he thought to himself, ‘where do we go from here?’.
The Blades: A glimmer of hope
On 16th July 2019, Chris Wilder threw Morrison a lifeline with the offer of a one-year-deal at newly promoted Sheffield United. Now at 26-years-old and with a diverse range of experience under his belt, perhaps this is the season that Morrison buckles down, hones his ‘team player’ mentality and begins to consistently show his talent on the Premier League stage.
For a player who may have thought he was all out of chances in the top flight, a return to the familiarity of England and the majesty of the Premier League could be something of a homecoming, and an ideal opportunity for a coming of age. “It is great to be back in England, now I can get my career kick-started again” said Morrison, who began life as a blade with a man of the match performance in a Carabao Cup win against Blackburn. Indeed, fast starts are a common theme of his career, but let’s hope all other common themes make themselves scarce this time.
At his best his ball control, effortless passing and precise dribbling ability are a joy to watch, at his worst he is a headache. Now coming into the theoretical prime of his career, Morrison will be backed this season by a fiercely loyal set of fans that will show him love and admiration so long as he puts in the performances himself. Whether we will finally see the Ravel that lies within remains to be seen.
Guapo Football 