Speculation surrounding Steven Gerrard's future increased this week with the confirmation of the midfielder's exit from Los Angeles Galaxy.
Gerrard has returned to England following his 18 months in Major League Soccer, with some observers describing his stint in the USA as a disappointment.
"I would say that although we saw a few flashes from Gerrard in his time with Galaxy, he never lived up to expectations," Fox Soccer's Keith Costigan told Bleacher Report at the end of October.
A more damning assessment was provided by the Guardian's Graham Ruthven, who wrote that "Gerrard never fully committed to his MLS task," citing his numerous trips back to England, where he even took on media responsibilities on the opposite side of the Atlantic to his club team.