Topic: Biggest flop In Europeon football over the last 10 years.

[rednich85]

Not as much as they did on Albert Luque...whatever happened to him?

Thats another name I put in the other thread. Thought he was going to be a star. He was excellent at depor

Did he go to Ajax?

[rednich85]

There's another thread?

Its the 'VDV snubbed Liverpool' thread.

The OP here posted that VDV is the biggest flop in European football in the last 10 years

Doc Cornwallis reckons he'll be on loan to B'ham by Christmas

[Crosby Nick]

Doc Cornwallis reckons he'll be on loan to B'ham by Christmas

Before the window even re-opens. Ballsy call!

[Xxavi]

Take your pick...

Berbatov to United for £30m (9th most expensive transfer of all time)
Robinho to Man City for £32m (7th most expensive transfer of all time)
Shevchenko to Chelsea for £30m (10th most expensive transfer of all time)
Shaun Wright Phillips to Chelsea for £21m

I reserve judgement on Aquilani, Benzema and Kaka for the time being, they are young enough and good enough to turn things around, but it doesn't look too good at the moment.

But seriously, half of Man City's squad is full of players who cost way too much, have limited ability, and will never justify their price tags, such as Jo (£18M), Balotelli (£24m), Carlos Tevez (£45m), Lescott (£23m), Santa Cruz (£17.5m).
The above players would be pushing their luck at half their price.

I totally agree with this list of names. Though I would say Kaka is a definite flop, he is one of the worst, in fact, he is THE biggest flop in past decade on my list. 65 million pounds and what did he do? Nothing

Sadly, one other big flop of the decade is Ibra. Yes, his season wasn't too bad and everything, but my God, his reputation, the price we paid...

My top 5:
1. Kaka
2. Robinho
3. Shevchenko
4. Veron
5. Benzema/Berbatov etc.

[Xxavi]

Fair enough.

SWP has been shit everywhere, he's in.
Robinho was good in Brazil, average everywhere else, he's in.

Van Der Vaart is a good shout, though some will argue he did well in both Holland and Germany.
Ryan Babel is a better shout.
Vincent Kompany is another one, talked up as a wunderkid for ages but never really got going anywhere yet.
Jermaine Pennant is another one, just walked into various clubs on the back of his 'failed potential' ticket, another wunderkid.
Cassano has already been mentioned.
I think Chiellini probably deserves a mention as well.
I think there's a case to be made for Robbie Fowler once he left us the first time, he travelled for years and never fulfilled that promise again. Carlos Alberto was a wunderkid at Porto when they won the Champions League, he just vanished off the radar completely.
Simao is a big one for me, so much potential but such a journeyman.
Miguel is another, top right back for Portugal.
Patrick Vieira anyone?  Top of his game, best in the World when he left Arsenal age 28/29 and I was wondering just how much better he could get, but was such a journeyman at both Juventus and Inter.
Milan Baros.  38 goals in 78 games for the Czechs so far, his class is there for all to see, top scorer at Euro 2004...odd one.
Maniche.  Was amazing in 2003/04/05, then just faded completely.
Diego Tristan.  So good, then so bad.
Gaizka Mendieta.  See Maniche.
Joaquin.  Wunderkid, talent, but nothing to show for it.
Vicente.  See Joaquin.
Juan Roman Riquelme.  Amazing, should have won everything several times in Europe.
Ivan De La Pena.  As above.

Diego is in danger of doing the same thing, has he left Juventus

Again, I agree with this post.

The only correction I would make is that I would remove Vicente. He didn't go shit, he just is very injury prone. One of the classic wingers in the past decade. The best left winger in the world for 2-3 years. Loved watching him.

[Zizou]

Kaka never really got going at Madrid, and never really looked fit to me, not as fit as in his Milan days anyway. Looked a little overweight at the World Cup as well - he's been a flop at Madrid thus far, but lets not forget that he was majestic for Milan during his time there. Plenty of time to turn it around in Spain.

[Xxavi]

Kaka never really got going at Madrid, and never really looked fit to me, not as fit as in his Milan days anyway. Looked a little overweight at the World Cup as well - he's been a flop at Madrid thus far, but lets not forget that he was majestic for Milan during his time there. Plenty of time to turn it around in Spain.

I don't think he has plenty of time in Madrid. He is also 28, and out for half a year. I don't see "plenty of time" for him.

He will be shipped out for small fee, and would be dubbed as one of the historical flops, IMO.

Was it fitness problem? Who knows, either that or lost interest. He always finds time and desire to play for Brazil, but for Madrid, he is always said to be not fit

[Zizou]

I don't think he has plenty of time in Madrid. He is also 28, and out for half a year. I don't see "plenty of time" for him.

Well if Madrid want to write off however much money he cost and ship him out, then that's really up to them. He should have a few good years left if he clears this injury, and with the talent he has it'd be daft to write him off.

Funny how alot of these flops seem to be expensive Madrid signings..something about that place.

[Rusty Oysterburger]

It's funny how many of these players have signed for Newcastle at some point. Newcastle United - Where good footballers go to die.

[pinky]

Not a one off move that failed like Berbatov to the mancs, as we all know he was class before that, or sheva to chelsea. Someone who has generally failed everywhere he has gone considering the talent they have.


Mine is van der vaart.

I don't understand this.

Players who have failed everywhere considering their talent.

I think more than half the names mentioned in this thread don't belong to this list.

[And Could He Play]

Kaka cannot be mentioned, hardly failed at Milan did he.

[LiverLuke]

cassano was hugely rated, has been very disapointing. probably the biggest flop in that he has never ever been close to reaching his potential.

[pinky]

I don't really see the point in a thread like this. I still don't understand it.

[Zeb]

The crap he's served up? He won two La Ligas with Real and had a great record there.

I'll let him speak for himself on that one, "My personal aim is to be the best player in the world and that isn't going to be possible at Real Madrid." He's got the talent to be a true great. My money is on him never rising above decent international standard. OP says to judge relative to the talent the player has. Robinho has in no way reached anywhere close to where he could be.

[Jezza789]

Can't believe no one has mentioned Quaresma yet..

agree with this one

[Another Red]

I think the OP was asking about players who were once great but then became consistently average thereafter. This is a bit different from a one off flop. Shevchenko flopped at Chelsea but was brilliant for years at Dynamo & Milan. Riquelme flopped at Barca but resurrected his career with Villareal.

1. Robinho: Real Madrid & Man City
2. Quaresma: Barca & Inter
3. Huntelaar: Real Madrid & AC Milan

They're not shit players. They're just not up to starting for Europe's elite clubs.

Still would have taken Huntelaar here for a decent price. 

[miroa12004]

For some reason, people seem to be forgetting Alberto Gilardino

[pinky]

If you include Robinho in that list, that means you didn't see him under Schuster at Madrid.

He was electric, and probably the most important player in the whole attacking system in that team. All the automatisms, defense-to-attack transitions had him as the key piece until he got injured. He was a "combinative" type of player, direct, good reader of the pace the game needed depending on the situation, with great eye to assist and score.

[Zeb]

If you include Robinho in that list, that means you didn't see him under Schuster at Madrid.

The quote from Robinho about not being able to fulfill his personal ambition was from the end of that season when Schuster had tried to build the team around him at Real Madrid, got some decent performances but had the dressing room close to rioting because Robinho was turning up for training late (by days) after internationals because he was out partying in Brazil - although at least he wasn't being fined for turning up pissed for training as he was the season before. If you think that lad is fulfilling his potential (£80m+ spent on him in transfer fees in just three transfers), then you didn't see the kid at Santos who was absolutely mesmeric. Diego has at least partially redeemed himself with a very decent spell in Germany before his failed move to Italy.

[Xxavi]

If you include Robinho in that list, that means you didn't see him under Schuster at Madrid.

He was electric, and probably the most important player in the whole attacking system in that team. All the automatisms, defense-to-attack transitions had him as the key piece until he got injured. He was a "combinative" type of player, direct, good reader of the pace the game needed depending on the situation, with great eye to assist and score.

Yeah, but he was never a leader of Madrid. Nice flash player at times, but didn't justify the hype. Overall, not a very bad buy, because Madrid could sell him even for more money.

However, considering his talents, he is one of the flops of decade. He has and had incredible abilities, but he is a wimp.

[Moldyman]

I don't think he has plenty of time in Madrid. He is also 28, and out for half a year. I don't see "plenty of time" for him.

He will be shipped out for small fee, and would be dubbed as one of the historical flops, IMO.

Was it fitness problem? Who knows, either that or lost interest. He always finds time and desire to play for Brazil, but for Madrid, he is always said to be not fit

You are quite clearly biased.

Kaka is an ex world footballer of the year and Champions League winner for god sake. How anyone can say he is a flop is crazy. Maybe he hasn't shone at Madrid like he did at Milan, but does that suddenly make him "one of the most historical flops" as you put it? I don't think so.

[pinky]

The quote from Robinho about not being able to fulfill his personal ambition was from the end of that season when Schuster had tried to build the team around him at Real Madrid, got some decent performances but had the dressing room close to rioting because Robinho was turning up for training late (by days) after internationals because he was out partying in Brazil - although at least he wasn't being fined for turning up pissed for training as he was the season before. If you think that lad is fulfilling his potential (£80m+ spent on him in transfer fees in just three transfers), then you didn't see the kid at Santos who was absolutely mesmeric. Diego has at least partially redeemed himself with a very decent spell in Germany before his failed move to Italy.

There is a big, big difference between someone not fulfilling his potential and being a flop (failing utterly). Robinho wasn't one at Madrid, far from it.

[Xxavi]

You are quite clearly biased.

Kaka is an ex world footballer of the year and Champions League winner for god sake. How anyone can say he is a flop is crazy. Maybe he hasn't shone at Madrid like he did at Milan, but does that suddenly make him "one of the most historical flops" as you put it? I don't think so.

Well, he has been a flop at Madrid, no matter what he did with Milan. Actually, he was quite inconsistent for Milan as well, AFAIK, Milan never won a league with him. He had brilliant games, but he was overrated there and never deserved the Golden Ball.

What he did for Madrid to justify his price tag? What did he do for Madrid to justify even 1/5th of his price tag? NOTHING. Like it or not, he has been one of the worst big money buys in the history of football so far.

[Moldyman]

Well, he has been a flop at Madrid, no matter what he did with Milan. Actually, he was quite inconsistent for Milan as well, AFAIK, Milan never won a league with him. He had brilliant games, but he was overrated there and never deserved the Golden Ball.

*facepalm*

Yeah. Okay mate.

[pinky]

[bakstabba]

Quaresma

EDIT: And Kewell with his injuries

[myrlas]

I'd go for Juan Sebastian Veron

Football is only played in England, right?

[GBF]

Kaka is a good one...great at Milan but "caca" at Real and for Brazil (in WC)

[Roy of the rovers]

I'm lost, OP says people who've failed wherever they've gone, not post transfer flops, and most of the names people have listed are people who've failed after a big transfer.

Just gonna say Robbie Keane.

Good shout

[Dr Cornwallis]

The only correction I would make is that I would remove Vicente. He didn't go shit, he just is very injury prone. One of the classic wingers in the past decade. The best left winger in the world for 2-3 years. Loved watching him.

Very true, but I think that was the idea behind the thread.  Being honest, the thread should be called 'Most hyped players who never fulfilled their potential in the last 10 years'.
Sadly for Joaquin, injuries have meant that this has been the case.
And this is why Shevchenko doesn't belong on the list, he was immense for Kiev and Milan.
So, so many.  Just at Liverpool alone...

Collymore
Rob Jones
Jermaine Pennant
Albert Riera
Jari Litmanen
Aquilani
Sissoko
Dossena
Pongolle
Baros
Smicer
Heggem
Diouf
Kewell
Morientes

These players were/are capable of so much more than they have produced.

[Pheeny]

Very true, but I think that was the idea behind the thread.  Being honest, the thread should be called 'Most hyped players who never fulfilled their potential in the last 10 years'.
Sadly for Joaquin, injuries have meant that this has been the case.
And this is why Shevchenko doesn't belong on the list, he was immense for Kiev and Milan.
So, so many.  Just at Liverpool alone...

Collymore
Rob Jones
Jermaine Pennant
Albert Riera
Jari Litmanen
Aquilani
Sissoko
Dossena
Pongolle
Baros
Smicer
Heggem
Diouf
Kewell
Morientes

These players were/are capable of so much more than they have produced.

bit unfair on Rob Jones seeing as it was an injury that stopped him playing.

[AJ]

You are quite clearly biased.

Kaka is an ex world footballer of the year and Champions League winner for god sake. How anyone can say he is a flop is crazy. Maybe he hasn't shone at Madrid like he did at Milan, but does that suddenly make him "one of the most historical flops" as you put it? I don't think so.

Not sure what being a Champions League winner has got to do with it. So it Harry Kewell but his name is still being thrown around in here.

[Vinay]

Freddy Adu is quickly going that way too. And Denilson (the elder) is a great shout.

[Vinay]

Kaka is a good one...great at Milan but "caca" at Real and for Brazil (in WC)

He HAS a winner's medal at the World Cup though!

[Neil D]

If it's biggest flop at one club then the answer has to be somebody like Veron, Kaka, Ibrahimovic, Berbatov (although I have a feeling he will prove his worth this year), Shevchenko, Benzema, Keane, Robinho, SWP etc. If it's biggest flop career wise then would have to give that more thought.

Very true, but I think that was the idea behind the thread.  Being honest, the thread should be called 'Most hyped players who never fulfilled their potential in the last 10 years'.
Sadly for Joaquin, injuries have meant that this has been the case.
And this is why Shevchenko doesn't belong on the list, he was immense for Kiev and Milan.
So, so many.  Just at Liverpool alone...

Collymore
Rob Jones
Jermaine Pennant
Albert Riera
Jari Litmanen
Aquilani
Sissoko
Dossena
Pongolle
Baros
Smicer
Heggem
Diouf
Kewell
Morientes

These players were/are capable of so much more than they have produced.

Unfair on Jones and Heggem that - both were boss for us before serious career ending injuries kicked in, Jones especially for three years at least wasn't it? Jones doesn't ever deserve to be put in any list with Collymore or Diouf.

[Crosby Nick]

Rob Jones was brilliant. Can'tbelieve he won so few England caps. Consistently great for us throughout his career, even when shisted to left back for a while/

Heggem was so unlucky. Seemed like everytime he tried to make a comeback his hamstrings would go again. Did he retire after leaving us or did he try his luck somewhere else? Great goals against Boro and Bradford.

[Pheeny]

Rob Jones was brilliant. Can'tbelieve he won so few England caps. Consistently great for us throughout his career, even when shisted to left back for a while/

Heggem was so unlucky. Seemed like everytime he tried to make a comeback his hamstrings would go again. Did he retire after leaving us or did he try his luck somewhere else? Great goals against Boro and Bradford.

the Bradford game was my lads first trip to Anfield.

[Crosby Nick]

the Bradford game was my lads first trip to Anfield.

And he got to see Dean Windass score. What a lucky lad!

[lamonti]

shit topic started for a shit reason that rednich pointed out.

[Dr Cornwallis]

Well this is the point is it not?
Injury or not, it's unfulfilled potential amid lots of hype.
Of course Jones is different to Diouf, but the outcome is still the same, a talented player that never went on to exercise that talent in their prime.