Michael Owen

[Winrew]

Well it looks like Real Madrid are gonna let Owen leave.
Man Utd seem to be the favourites at the moment to sign him.

Does anyone else think he,s been treat shite by Real ? I do, i mean he scored 16 goals last season
That Raul couldnt hit a cows arse with a banjo the last two seasons yet he still gets a start most weeks.

I hope they win bugger all again this season.

[ONEDUNME]

Yes.

Raul is a useless bastard who's been living on reputation for the last two years.

But the Englishmen among us can hardly point the finger when we have chosen people like Gazza, John Barnes and David Beckham match after match when they've constantly underperformed. They've played on because of their name and so has he, for both Real and Spain.

Owen is twice the player he is (at the moment - at his peak would be a different argument) as his goals per minute show against the same opposition.

[rene]

You see it the last seasons.Real bought all stars AND .. no title!
Beckham,Zidan,Owen,Ronaldo,Figo,...

They were all big stars in the teams before,but when everything will be the star,a team can´t exist IMO.

Zidan in Turin - the greatest player ever in italy in the ´90
Beckham - the star in great britain at manU
Luis Figo - the playmaker in Barcelona
Ronaldo - Inter juwel in the offence
Michael Owen - one of the jungest player,whos so successfully in Liverpool

But now they are all a part of system and Marketing in Madrid.
Many money from the asian tour,the fanshops and some other.

But last season they lost versus compact teams,climber and outsider...
Not every diva could play .. in Madrid a match is with 11 player too.

I think it was a great mistake of owen to leave the reds!He was good and with him the team would be one of the best in europe I think.
Gerrad and Co. is a good team. Owen leave the reds because he said he would play for a team whos in the CL.... ... We known all where the new CL Winner are come from!

The money and the great name,thats all what madrid is nothing more!
If I´ll be a star.I will play better in my team,which is a real team and lose a few times more,than I´m in reserve and a marketingthing of the club.

...So the real stars like Ronaldinho,Gerrad,Ballack,... and some other know the facts against Madrid...

For me its good to see that money isn´t it all in football today

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

I couldn't agree with ODM anymore as its so true that Raul represents Madrid and Spain on reputation and that alone. I really don't understand his plight as he is still rather young. Maybe he has gotten too arrogant or something but he isn't a fifth of the player he used to be.

The same goes for Ronaldo aswell. He is past his best and his injuries have taking their toll on him. Madrid should've got rid of the two of these in the summer and they would've been far better off.

In regards to Owen. I feel sorry for the guy. Massive dream to get the opportunity he got, if he was giving a regular start for a whole season there he wouldve knocked in 30+ goals easily. Madrids loss will be another sides gain though.

One thing i do like is how appreciative of Owen the Madrid fans are. Usually fans would be on his back etc but they idolise him in a way and recognise he is a good footballer. It seems Owen hasn't managed to hold down a regular starting place just because of his name.

[rene]

I think the best for Owen will leaving the team ...

Go back to England.IMO Manchester United is a good adress for Owen.
I agree with you Kiko.If Owen plays all the time,he will shout 30 goals.. in what league ever!...

[Oddsfellow]

How does he fit into the picture at Old Trafford though assuming nobody exits? Keane Ronaldo Giggs and Scholes in midfield with Rooney and Ruud up top you would think is the standard setup of recent times. Having said that for several seasons now Fergie has persisted in playing just one lone striker with one in just behind so almost five across the middle really. If Owen comes then that means two out and out goalscorers and a change of system. Fave for the drop would have to be Giggs with Rooney and Ronaldo taking the wing spots.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

I think its Ruud's place that will be under threat. He has started becoming rather injury prone and hasn't been as prolific as he was 2 seasons ago.

[ONEDUNME]

True about the one up front but Horseface hardly set the place alight last year (don't get me wrong - I still think he'll bounce back this season) and Sir Alex is never frightened of chucking a couple of hundred attacking players on if he happens to be losing with 15 minutes to go.

I would see Owen OR Horseface starting as lone striker. As you suggest, Rooney can play a role behind the main striker and i see Giggs, Ronaldo and the new Chinese geyser sharing the wide roles between them most of the time.

It's a long hard season and you can't have too many talented players fighting for places.

[ONEDUNME]

Fuck - I'm going to have to learn to type quicker.

[rene]

Aye manchester have a very good offence,no question.But they give more if there is a third forward I think.

Owen is an excellent forward and everybody is knowing that.But its not practical to sit on the bank every second match.And that is what he done in the last season in Madrid,..or not?
So he wouldn´t be younger,... and IMO "the isle" will be the best league for him.
He´s knowing the folks,the way to play and the other stuff...

Owen in Italy?..I´m not sure that hes exciting in that.The italians fall down to earth before you jostling the man!...Thats not the game of Owen.
And I don´t think that he would transfer to another spanish club..Madrid is the best adress in spain.

mhh...

I don´t know but when he stay a season more in madrid.. he ends like Figo or something other star in madrid....thats my opinion to owen

[all_funkt_up]

I think the problem with this move is that there are a lack of clubs to whom a move is possible. Looking close to home, I think that he could move to Arsenal and United and thats that. Ferguson seems keen to re brand Alan Smith as the next Roy Kunt - is this so that there is money available on the striker's budget?

Having said that, Fergie rarely lined up a conventional 4-4-2 last season. Surely who ever buys Owen would want to play him as an out an out striker and thats how Michael would see himself being played. If Fergie is going to line up a proper 4-4-2, surely it would be Van Nistelrooy and Rooney? Would Owen sign for Man U to be a 3rd choice striker? Is that any better than being 4th or 5th choice at Madrid.

I think that Arsenal would be the best option for him. Wenger seems to be uninterested in moving for Owen, maybe its a double bluff to keep the price down. At Arsenal, he would be the second name on the team sheet I reckon and an Owen and Henry partnership would be terrifying as far as thei pace was concerned. Now thats a true 50 goal a year partnership. Wenger was interested in Baptista, so he clearly is interested in buying a striker, no matter what he says in public.

Owen is a much maligned player. Since bursting onto the scene in 1998, people have criticised his one dimensional approach to football. But who cares? We might know what he is going to do, but how many defences have managed to stop him? His goals ratio at all levels of world football stand him in good stead.

Just because he doesnt have a poncey hairstyle or diva attitude, he isnt seen in the same light as players such as Raul. Perception is everything, reality is nothing when it comes to the Galacticos.

I cant see him moving to Everton or Newcastle. Even a loan deal would be a fate worse than death. Newcastle are a complete joke and Everton will struggle to finish in the top 10. Owen would be better off playing for a mid table foreign team than admitting defeat and playing for a team in England that is 'below him'.

I would love to see Owen back at Liverpool, but it hardly seems likely that rafa will re sign the player he let go last year. Its a shame because he is a great player but there doesnt seem to be a club that Owen can walk into with his head held high. The list of possible suitors are cut short because they all appear to have too many strikers on the books. It is a crazy situation when a player such as Owen cant find a club to join. I think a few years back, clubs would have bent over backwards to sign him and broken the bank. Maybe its a sign of the times rather than a reflection on Owen himself. Maybe clubs are more budget conscious than before and are therefore less likely to add a player to their books if they cant really afford him...

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

Newcastle look set to be the first side to make an official bid it seems according to BBC.

A lot of doubters on Newcastle but when they have their full squad available they are going to be a very decent side in this league. Getting Owen would be a real coup for them and a signing they desperately need as they are lacking up front with only Shearer who is getting past it, Chopra who has little experience in the EPL and Ameobi who is injured at the minute.

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by Kiko

A lot of doubters on Newcastle but when they have their full squad available they are going to be a very decent side in this league. .

No they aren't.

[GaNgStA kEeKs]

And why is that ODM?

Players like Given and Boumsong could more than hold their own in some of the "better" sides. Carr too although dodgy at times is no mug.

Then you look at their midfield. Parker, Emre, Jenas, Dyer, Bowyer. Some real quality in there.

Add Owen to the equation and your only looking at a central defender, a winger and a striker and your really going places.

[bluek]

And a manager......................