Transfer flops: Juan Sebastian Veron

In the first of our 'transfer flops' section, we have started big with Manchester United's near £30m, then record signing, of the Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

It may seem a tad over the top, for someone who was selected by Pele in his list of 125 greatest living footballer back in 2004.

But for anyone who can remember his torrid time in England will have no doubts about his inclusion in this one.

During his time at Lazio, Veron was part of a midfielder full of flair and where he was covered by defensive midfielders to allow him to stick to going forward.

However he had a big shock when Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out to take him to Old Trafford.

The Premier League didn't allow the same time on the ball of Serie A, plus Veron himself was also expected to put in a tackle or two himself.

Injuries and poor performances took their toll, with just seven goals in 51 games over two seasons.

And despite Fergie's insistence that he was a great player it was clear his time the North West of England would soon be at an end.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Veron saga, was the fact Chelsea paid £15m to take him to Stamford Bridge to start the Roman Abramovich spending spree.

Claudio Ranieri is understood to have been key in securing a player who wanted to stay and prove a point with the Red Devils.

Despite getting off to a terrific start at Chelsea, scoring on his debut at Anfield, his time in London was less fruitful than in Manchester.

After just one season where he only managed that one goal in 14 appearances, he was promptly loaned out to Inter Milan and then Estudiantes.

Upon returning to Argentina Veron has shown the form which made the world sit up and take note before his time in England.

He has since been voted best player in the league and in South America, and also holds the captaincy.

Despite this though, on these shores and in many areas worldwide Veron will always be remembered as one of the most expensive transfer flops.

Future stars - Martin Kelly

To kick start the new future stars feature, we start on our shores with a young English defender that is really starting to make a name for himself.

20-year-old Liverpool youngster Martin Kelly is predominantly a centre back, but mostly finds himself deputising on the right side on defence.

A position where he is gaining huge plaudits, with some positive that in a few years he will not only be number one at his club but for the England national side too.

Sundays 2-0 home victory over Chelsea saw Kelly once again deployed in the right-back berth, after Glen Johnson suffered another injury set back, and together with the rest of the back four he performed admirably.

While the clubs number one Johnson often gets criticised for defensive lapses, this isn't a problem for one of the most promising players to come through the Liverpool academy in years.

His defensive abilities are getting better each performance, whilst he is also getting more confident going forward.

Emphasised with a wicked strike on Sunday that was just deflected round the post by the Chelsea defence.

Previous manager Rafael Benitez often seemed unwilling to bleed to many youngsters into the squad, but the fact he brought through Kelly speaks volumes.

His senior debut came in the Champions League during the 2008/09 season, when he came on as a substitute away to PSV Eindhoven.

With his first start coming in the same competition a little less than a year later, when Liverpool took on Lyon at Anfield.

After returning from injury next up was a call to the England under-21 side, where he rewarded Stuart Pearce with a goal on his debut against Uzbekistan.

In a world where football is hugely evolving, and there is a crying need for versatile full-backs who are equally adept at defending as well as attacking Kelly could thrive.

If he continues to get regular game time, the calls that he will be England's number one in a few years time could not be too far off the mark.

Gareth Bale - simply superb!

It is often a difficult task in sport, to find an Englishman who is jealous of anything to do with their neighbours.

However 21-year-old flying winger Gareth Bale is proving to be an exception, and after another storming display people up and down England are declaring "if only he was English."

His Premier League form has been excellent so far this season, but it is the last two European games that have put him on the radar of Europe's elite.

In Maicon Inter Milan have one of the best right back in the business, Bale though has made him look pedestrian for 180 minutes of football.

As if a tremendous second half hat-trick in the San Siro wasn't enough, he laid on two goals last night as well as a number of other chances.

Is their anything that he can't do?

He can help out in defence, run at defenders and skin them easily, take dead balls, cross, shoot pretty much all with the same effectiveness.

However with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan all rumoured to be interested, Spurs will have to do everything they can to keep hold of the Welsh winger.

Not too far in the past Spurs were willing to get rid of Bale due to poor performances, but they have stuck by him and look at the effects.

Lets just hope he realises this and does seek pastures new on the continent.

Back Soon!

After an unexpected break, for which Sports Portal apologizes, we are pleased to announce that we will soon be back. Delivering the same views on a wide range of sports, including two new features concerning the globes biggest sport. Football of course. What were they thinking? and the future stars sections will soon be up an running, detailing Premier League transfer flops as well as the future of the sport world wide. Keep your eyes peeled and be sure to return very soon.