Going Owen Gone
Friday, 03 July 09, 07:40 AM · Comments(5)
By Michael Sinnerton
Having blogged about Michael Owen less than two weeks ago I don't want to come across as repeating myself, but I'm glad to see that one of my favourite players and someone who was once England's next great hope land on their feet.
As a Liverpool fan I know I probably should feel a bit betrayed and I may struggle next season wanting Michael to succeed whilst wanting United to crash and burn horribly. Do other Liverpool fans feel betrayed? I feel that having sold Michael Owen and turned down good opportunities to get him back (admittedly once at too high a price) we don't have any right to be offended.
From United's point of view they've signed a player who is proven in the Premiership and can be one of the best strikers in the league. At only 29 and on a free transfer, why anyone thinks this is a bad move is beyond me. Obviously it's a great move for Owen who finally has some profile and is saved the, let's face it, embarrassment of having to choose between Stoke or Hull (although Aston Villa were a more likely destination). But for United who get a proven goal scorer for no money, the risk is virtually zero. Owen will be so grateful to be at such a high profile club that he's likely to accept whatever terms are offered. If he does turn out to be a failure, United will be able to sell him for £1-2m with ease and will make their money back from any wages.
Furthermore, I don't think he will be a failure, at Newcastle with no service his stats of 30 goals in 69 games are well known but a goal-scoring ratio that was the highest in terms of goals/minutes played in La Liga should not be overlooked. Owen scored 18 goals from 41 games for Madrid (just 15 of which were starts), this despite a poor start probably due to problems acclimatising. When surrounded by good players, Owen is the beneficiary of more chances and as a result scores more goals.
Since Van Nistelrooy left United have not had a pure finisher in the squad due to Louis Saha's injury problems, Owen fits the bill perfectly. With Berbatov and Rooney likely to be Sir Alex's first choice for big games, and another (high profile) striker likely to join, United may be back to that wonderful position they enjoyed in 1999 where they can call on four genuinely top-drawer forwards.
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Freddy said:Interesting to revisit this after 4 of 6 matches. Liverpool clearly are struggl...
Freddy said:Also never bet on a match involving your own side. Too messy!
obaino said:i love ibra and i think he's better than eto'o, for now cos eto'o have realy pl...
Freddy said:I'm curious to see if English sides maintain their domination. But some pretty ...
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studentsofthegame
GB
We really should be getting paid for this.
5 Comments · Add yours
It's a bit weird... Owen... a United player...
Anyway, it's crisis time, not the best to turn down a job! :D
Reply to Aida_A:
Yeah, good point :D.
Hadn't heard from you in ages, was starting to worry!
Reply to studentsofthegame:
Awww! That's sweet! :D Thank You!!!
Was catching up with my classmates that came back to Kazakhstan from their Universitites in Russia, Chech Republic... Well, the usual, you know: wild parties, getting drunk and dancing on the barstands... :D lol
As well as following tennis and cycling...
Sinno's pulled.
lightweight player. One more knock and Owen will be finished. May get a medal for least appearances. Stick to the racecourse Michael if you want to be winner.