There are not many things worse in football than watching a player succeed after being rejected by your club.
In 1997, Queens Park Rangers paid the price for making the wrong decision on a player who went on to achieve success in the Premier League, with Derby County, West Ham United and Manchester City.
That player was Paulo Wanchope.
Paulo Wanchope had 1997 trial with QPR
In 1997, QPR were in English football’s second tier, having been relegated from the top flight the season before. Stewart Houston was the man in charge of the West London club, who were looking for a swift return to the promised land.
To achieve an instant return to the top flight, the Hoops required more firepower and one player who could have been added to the West London club’s arsenal was Wanchope.
According to dcfc.co.uk, one of the men responsible for bringing the Costa Rican international to England was former Arsenal defender, Bob McNab. McNab watched Wanchope in action for his country in a World Cup 1998 qualifier against the United States of America.
According to the club’s website, Wanchope made such an impression on the ex-Gunner, that he contacted the striker’s club, Herediano, and requested that he be given a trial at QPR. The trial offered the forward a vital pathway into English football, and it was one that the Costa Rican could not let pass him by.
During his trial with the Hoops, Wanchope scored six goals in three practice matches, but despite his contributions, the striker was not offered a contract and made his way back to his homeland.
In heading back to Central America, Wanchope may have thought his chance of playing in England had gone, but he was given a second bite of the cherry and made QPR pay.
Paulo Wanchope offered Premier League contract, following a successful trial with Derby County
Despite not being able to secure a contract with the Hoops, Wanchope was given a second opportunity to impress in England.
A couple of weeks later, the Costa Rican was offered another trial, but this time with Premier League outfit, Derby. The striker trained with the Rams and was given the chance to impress then manager, Jim Smith, in two trial games.
Although Wanchope did not score in either of the trial matches, Smith had seen enough to be convinced by the forward and signed him on a permanent basis, along with his compatriot, Mauricio Solís.
It did not take the Costa Rican long to repay the faith shown in him by Smith as he netted on his debut for the Rams, scoring a solo effort in what was a rare 3-2 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Wanchope went on to have a successful stint at Pride Park and scored 25 goals in 77 appearances in all competitions, before joining West Ham United for £3.5m in 1999. Smith’s decision to take on the Costa Rican was a wise one given his success on the pitch and the fee secured for his services.
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