Gamble made by leading player using natural talent (4)
I believe the answer is:
punt
'gamble' is the definition.
(to take a punt is to gamble)
'leading player using natural talent' is the wordplay.
'leading' suggests taking the first letters (the leading letter of the word).
The initial letters of 'player using natural talent' is 'PUNT'.
'made by' is the link.
(Other definitions for punt that I've seen before include "Pole-propelled boat" , "Bet (in old Irish money?)" , "old money abroad" , "risky affair" , "Gamble -- boat -- high kick" .)