Let's break this down.
Gio scored 4 goals in 8 games at Ipswich, and probably spent the first half of that late season loan spell trying to get match fit.
At Galatasaray he was competing with some very good, established, players such as Arda Turan for a place in the side. Did he underperform? Quite possibly. But again he went there part way through the season.
Was his spell at Racing a failure? Appears not, as several Spanish clubs want to buy him.
At 18, Barca thought he was good enough to promote him to their first team squad to understudy Messi. He played 28 times, mostly as a sub.
Then Rijkaard was replaced by Guardiola, and he shipped the drinkers out - primarily Ronaldinho and Deco. Gio was also allegedly one of those who would go out drinking with his hero, Ronadlinho.
Fine. Clearly, Guardiola was making a statement, and a strong and constructive one.
Gio was 19 when he came to Spurs. A fresh start at a fresh club. Obi Mikel, also a young kid in a foriegn country, had a terrible time at Chavski at first. He never made training on time. Until Mourinho decided to sort it out and hired a chaperone cum chauffer, to make sure off field stuff didn't interfere with his development as a footballer.
The years between 19 and 22 are crucial for the development of a footballer, and Gio has played very little competitive football. Some of it may be his fault. But I've seen very little carrot from our coaches.
With so many subs in the modern game, and Gio's ability to play across the front line, and attack tiring defenders with pace and skill, he should have been on our bench week after week. This would have kept him motivated, and eased him into Premier League football. Instead, I remember sighing week after week as on-loan journeyman Fraizer Campbell made the bench ahead of GDS.
At 17, Gio was a phenomenal talent. He may never live up to that potential.
But he does have exceptional technique and ability as the compilation here shows.
