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Transfers - Your view: Is Owen worth the gamble?

Eurosport - Tue, 09 Jun 09:13:00 2009

Few English players polarise opinion as much as Michael Owen: have your say on whether he would be a good summer buy.

2008-2009 Newcastle United Michael Owen - 0

The 28-year-old became an overnight sensation following his tremendous goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup - and Owen went on to bag plenty of goals and medals at Liverpool, on one occasion being named European Footballer of the Year.

However, his following move to Real Madrid lasted only a year. His already-patchy record with injuries steadily deteriorated, and a big-money move to Newcastle failed to reignite his career.

Injury on World Cup duty in 2006 consigned Owen to a lengthy spell on the treatment table and he never fully recovered; his score-less run since January was seen as a key factor in Newcastle's relegation from the Premier League last season.

However, there are some who believe Owen can still recapture his best form: reports have emerged that Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is ready to offer a two-year, £55,000-a-week contract in a bid to resurrect his career.

What do you think? Should Villa take the gamble on Owen, or will he remain a shadow of the player he once was? Click on the link below the photo to have your say on our message boards!

Some comments so far:

Frank: "I would say that's a fair bid and Owen should take it if it's true. I am a Liverpool fan and I wouldn't mind seeing him back at Anfield as a cover for that kind of money, but Rafa is not going to do it. I believe he will show he can still score in the Premier League and his time at Newcastle is not a barometer on which he should be judged."

elmo: "Dubious whether you'd get a full 90 mins out of him, but still an impact player and a match-winner. Worth a punt and he would bring out the best in those around him."

The Great Ressh: "I feel Owen's career is damaged beyond repair. He will never be the same player he was five to six years ago. Going to Spain was one of his biggest mistakes and he will most probably regret it for the rest of his life. Maybe he won't if Man City are ready to offer him 140k p/w !!"

pensterlab: "I am a big fan of Martin O'Neill however offering Michael Owen a contract would be his greatest mistake since taking over. He has no interest in the game as his horse racing stable is his priority at the moment and he is looking for a lucrative contract to see out the next two years before retirement."

Eurosport

Comment 44 - 63 of 63

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  1. i believe owen used to be a wonderful player but not­ anymore injuries have done a lot of damage to his­ confidence i sincerely don't think he is good­ enough for man u fergie should set his sights on­ strikers like huntelaar,eto'o, Fabiano and a host­ of others but definitely not owen.rooney needs a good­ striking partner and i don't think owen is that­ person however it all depends on SAF.

    From obinnaemechebe, on Sat 22 Aug 1:50PM

  2. i believe owen used to be a wonderful player but not­ anymore injuries have done a lot of damage to his­ confidence i sincerely don't think he is good­ enough for man u fergie should set his sights on­ strikers like huntelaar,eto'o, Fabiano and a host­ of others but definitely not owen.rooney needs a good­ striking partner and i don't think owen is that­ person however it all depends on SAF.

    From obinnaemechebe, on Sat 22 Aug 1:31PM

  3. i think he should go to manchester

    From TOM, on Fri 3 Jul 12:08AM

  4. Villa would be perfect 4 owen.
    the right manager and­ blend of players.
    hope he gets back to form and gets­ back in the England picture.

    From Adam, on Thu 2 Jul 7:02PM

  5. owen been pulling toons pisser!!!

    From nlwarburton, on Tue 30 Jun 12:56PM

  6. michael owen is overated, overpaid and a pain in the­ arse, im a lifelong toon fan, and in my opinion, we­ should let the little @#$% go, he spends more time on­ the treatment table than on the pitch, he's not­ worth 50 quid, nevermind 50 grand, he has done us no­ favours whatsoever, so the sooner he goes, the better,­ as far as i am concerned.

    From Ian, on Fri 26 Jun 1:50PM

  7. Owen isn't the problem. It's the moronic idiot­ manager's and chairmen who offer pay ludicrous­ transfer fee's,over the top wage's and mind­ blowing bonuses.
    These are the people to­ blaim.

    Owen's just doing what any of us would do­ !!! Lucky basa....

    From TTIOT, on Fri 26 Jun 11:11AM

  8. good riddance...t****r. He only ever had himself in­ mind when he went to the toon and i personally hope­ wherever he ends up, someone snaps him in half on the­ opening day of the season...thats all the money­ grabbing disloyal ego maniac deserves...i personally­ will spit in his face if i ever get near him...litle­ W****R.

    From calibrecarpentryltd, on Wed 24 Jun 12:57PM

  9. We'll have him back at Anfield where he belongs

    From Peri, on Wed 17 Jun 1:46PM

  10. Hey bestmate-66 it could be that the Newcastle Team­ never got to know him as he was always on the sick. It­ will take more than Aston Villa to get him playing,­ maybe a miracle may help.

    From DAVID A, on Wed 17 Jun 10:29AM

  11. zola will get owen scoring lets be honest martin oniell­ wasnt world class zola for prime minister

    From Jason, on Fri 12 Jun 12:01AM

  12. i think owens opinion of himself is far greater than­ his monetary value.. hes forever injured and cares less­ about newcastle united than even their biggest rivals..­ do wat schumacher did and retire with some dignity­ before you fall over an dont get back up

    From Stuart, on Thu 11 Jun 11:10PM

  13. he can stay at nufc,he needs a big club.

    From farsical, on Wed 10 Jun 5:02AM

  14. Another kevin phillips,phillips scored 30 goals in a­ season owen has only once scored 20 so don't think­ that statement stands up and phillips will score more­ next season than owen will

    From heslop448, on Tue 9 Jun 6:52PM

  15. I dont care - he has bled the Toon dry in an attempt to­ play for the only club he is really interested in -­ England. Just leave a.s.a.p. please!

    From touchstonesurveys, on Tue 9 Jun 3:09PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    with no transfer fee 2 pay michael owen is worth 3/4­ million per yr just look at trevez & over 2 yrs­ what he cost man utd

    From Kieron, on Tue 9 Jun 1:22PM

  17. I think he should go back to Liverpool.
    Rafa would­ sort him out.
    If he got back to his best him and Torres­ up front would
    be class.
    Please Owen sign for the­ REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Jonathan, on Tue 9 Jun 11:43AM

  18. has been now know as sick note FINISHED

    From Ken A, on Tue 9 Jun 11:06AM

  19. He's past it - he's another Kevin Phillips,­ only good enough to play in the Championship. His wage­ bill is an anchor weight draped around Newcastle neck­ and they MUST unload him no matter what...

    From Disgusted, on Tue 9 Jun 10:51AM

  20. An injury-prone has been called Owen
    Said it's time­ I was thinking of goin'
    I've taken their­ cash
    And the Geordies will crash
    I can't score so­ the goals have stopped flowin'i

    From Brian, on Tue 9 Jun 10:22AM
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