Jerome Sinclair was predicted to have a great future at Liverpool – now the Englishman is selling fried chicken. How did that happen?
At 16, Jerome Sinclair became the youngest debutant in Liverpool club history, and the center forward was considered a huge talent with a great future at Anfield.
Ten years later, the 26-year-old owns a Morley’s chain in Birmingham, selling fried chicken.
Sinclair made his senior debut for Liverpool in the League Cup against West Bromwich Albion aged 16 years and six days. At that time, he even became the youngest player to make his debut for the Reds. “I was just so happy to be there. Rodgers called me and said, ‘I really like you, you’re going to play more up here’. Then, at the hotel, I found out I was on the bench against West Brom ‘ Sinclair recounted a special day in the Mirror.
Coach Brendon Rodgers warned the then-youngster that the hard work was about to begin. Stressing that it’s not enough to just be the youngest player and then lose focus, he added: “Luckily he’s a good boy and he’s really focused. The hunger to learn can take you a long way. “
Sinclair had made his debut against West Bromwich Albion of all places – against the club where he had completed his training as a professional footballer in the youth academy. In 2011, aged just 14, he was signed by the Reds for around €228,000. He initially played for the Under-16 team before being promoted to the Under-18 side, where he scored an impressive eight goals in six games. Although he had already made his debut in the League Cup, he continued to play in the youth team thereafter.
Numerous loan deals without success: Sinclair’s career is coming to an end
After Sinclair was out due to injury, he completed a successful season following his premiere in the various youth teams at Liverpool FC. The then 18-year-old forward was later loaned to Wigan Athletic, but he only played once for eight minutes against Watford FC and suffered a defeat with his side.
Returning to the Reds, Sinclair finally made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in May 2015. So was the big break coming? Substituting for Rickie Lambert in the 68th minute, the striker featured alongside many famous stars in Steven Gerrard’s All-Star charity game a week later.
“Gerrard was very good to me and made me feel involved. He asked me to play against Jamie Carragher’s team in his All-Star charity game. I started with Thierry Henry and Ryan Babel in a back three. I can never thank him enough for giving me the opportunity to meet my idol,” Sinclair said.
He scored his first goal for Liverpool in the FA Cup against Exeter City, but then finally left the club for Watford in the summer of 2016. He didn’t really make friends with the Londoners, which is why numerous loan deals should give his career new impetus.
Fried chicken instead of Anfield Road: Sinclair’s new beginning
After spending just five caps at Birmingham City, the former Under-17 international switched clubs again in the summer of 2018. His spell at Sunderland was also short-lived and he was subsequently loaned out to Oxford United, VVV Venlo and CSKA Sofia. Despite playing for Venlo, he remained goalless. At Sofia, however, the Englishman was able to establish himself as a regular player and won the cup with the team. He played his last competitive game in May 2021.
Eventually he returned to Watford FC – and was dismissed. So it shouldn’t be that real anymore with the football career. The alternative? A fried chicken shop in his hometown of Birmingham.
“I know he lives in Birmingham and has good business acumen. He has interests outside of football,” Oxford manager Karl Robinson told The Athletic and elaborated: “I just want him to be happy. Whether he’s playing football again or not, as long as he’s happy that’s all that matters.”
