Owen for broke
Fri Jul 03 08:41AM
"Would we be interested in him? No. Firstly, his wages are too expensive. Then has he got the urge, the bottle and drive to do what the Premier League wants you to do? It's a big question." Dave Whelan, Wigan Athletic chairman.
"No, not for me... I think that from my point of view, from being with him at Newcastle, it's always been the injury threat. I can ill-afford to sign a player who's going to be out the team," Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers manager.
"Michael Owen could be waiting a while if he expects anyone better than Hull or Stoke to express an interest." Early Doors.
- - -
It might not seem like it given the events of the last few weeks, but ED is forced to admit that Manchester United are better than both Hull and Stoke.
And so we enter the final part of ED's trilogy laughing at United's summer transfer dealings.
They have lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez; they have missed out on Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema. And now they are going to sign a player who, just days ago, everyone was willing to chuck on the scrap heap.
If City fans want to rub in their status as Manchester's coming force, they need only buy a job lot of United weird red-and-black rugby league shirts and have Owen's name printed on the back.
So what on earth is Fergie thinking?
In one sense, it is a risk-free signing. United need a poacher and Owen (pictured at Chester racecourse) is certainly that. He will be on a short-term contract, he will have to take a massive pay cut and he will not be expected to start too many games.
But then Dele Adebola would have been a cheap striker who didn't start many games, but it doesn't mean that would have been a good idea.
Despite playing 32 games, last season was arguably Owen's worst.
Even without the excuse of injuries he was simply dreadful. Having been singled out by Alan Shearer as the man to keep Newcastle in the Premier League, he played appallingly and was dropped.
He even achieved the rare distinction of making his club's fans glad to get shot of him on a free transfer, just four years after shelling out a club record £16million for him.
In a staggering show of disloyalty to a club that paid him £100,000 a week throughout years of foot, knee and groin problems, Owen showed no interest in discussing a new contract with Newcastle.
He then found he was not in quite the demand he anticipated, and his management company was reduced to supplying clubs with a now-infamous brochure in an attempt to drum up interest.
Most famous is the 'brand values' section in which the commercial benefits of signing Owen are described in 21 almost universally ill-suited terms like 'Fit & Healthy', Young', 'Devoted' and 'Dynamic'.
There is also a spoof version circulating the internet, in which the corporate guff is replaced with 'Bench warmer', 'Liability', 'One-paced', 'Ex-footballer' and a few containing language that would make 50 Cent blush.
The sad part is, the gag phrases much more accurately represent Owen's current stock with the public.
ED's favourite part of the brochure is page 18, where Owen's former doctor is deputised to explain why Owen is not a crock.
John Green BSc (Hons), MCSP, HPC might be a better doctor than House, Meredith Grey, Doogie Howser MD and the smug one off Scrubs put together, but it is hard to trust his assertion that the description Owen as injury-prone is "a nonsense".
Dr Green said: "I was asked to see Michael Owen by David James in 2006. I had just rehabilitated Kieron Dyer from his hamstring problems. This culminated in Newcastle receiving £7m for Kieron from West Ham United.
"Following Michael's return from his cruciate ligament injury under my guidance, I treated Damien Duff and Dean Ashton for their respective foot and ankle fractures.
"I also successfully treated Craig Bellamy following a long-standing groin problem whilst he was at West Ham."
Yikes. And is it weird that, despite all the injury wrecks that have been through Dr Green's care, ED thinks the most troubling thing is that it was David James who arranged Owen's treatment, not anyone at Newcastle?
Today's medical at United's Carrington base is hotly-anticipated, but really, what could United find out about Owen's fitness that they do not already know?
Unless his entire leg shatters when the doctor does the knee-jerk reflex test, there is surely no physical defect left to discover on Owen. He has suffered every injury in the book, except possibly scurvy.
Just as United fans gamely denied that Cristiano Ronaldo was an odious twerp - until he was sold - they will cling to a faint belief in Fergie's track record and Owen's enduring ability as a finisher. But deep down they will shudder every time the little sod ambles on to the pitch.
- - -
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We can confirm we have completely rejected an offer
from Manchester City for John Terry. It was made clear
to City, for a second time following an approach last season, that we would not
entertain any conversation on the subject. At the time John also reiterated his
total commitment to Chelsea.
We would like to make it clear, and will not do so again, that John is not for
sale." Chelsea dismiss interest in John Terry from City. ED thinks the Blues doth protest too much.
FOREIGN VIEW: Poor old Raul Albiol. A couple of days after Kaka was rapturously acclaimed by 50,000 at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid's new £13 million defender - a Spain international, no less - was presented in front of a few hundred people. The stadium could not have been more sparsely populated if Dinara Safina had been playing a Wimbledon semi-final there.
COMING UP: Other than millions of Manchester United fans' breakfasts, you mean?
ED reckons this could be the day Murray-mania comes crashing to a halt, but if we can have a three-hour women's semi-final anything can happen. It's Haas v Federer and Murray v Roddick from 13:00 UK time. It should be fun.
READ THIS: Following Schalk Burger's gouging non-apology, here are sport's top five unrepentant b******s.
61-Go and see the Eric film, its fanfreakintastic. Not a United film at all, not even a footie film really. Just very very good
From andy_lycett on Fri Jul 03 10:28AMAnd the problem is that Etoo would demand at least 200k a week and only City can set and live with that sort of example - he allegedly asked Barca for 12m euro a yr = over £10m
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:29AMThere was a burglary at Man Citys trophy room yesterday, police are looking for 2 men with a blue carpet.
From reynoldsj_2000 on Fri Jul 03 10:30AMJohn Green is NOT a doctor but a physiotherapist as the letters after his name designate!
From john_wingfield on Fri Jul 03 10:30AMMeanwhile Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also being touted for a move to Manchester United with Alex Ferguson mulling over a 70m euro move for the Internazionale striker (Corriere dello Sport). Not quite as good as my transfer gossip but ok lets see.
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:31AMThanks Andy will do it has been given a good write up
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:33AMAs a Liverpool fan obviously we loved Michael when he wore our colours, however if ever there was a good bit of business it was the timing of his sale to Real .... he broke down about 5 minutes after the ink dried on the deal and has never totally recovered since. If S.A.F. really thinks Owen is the answer to his striking issues he really has lost it this time.
From campervanmant25 on Fri Jul 03 10:33AMAnne #68- Reagrding Etoo that was just my opinion, ur turning into Bob or Rubber Johnny not being able to accept it and move on lol. I mean how much do we really know whats going on in Etoo's head.
From jay8my on Fri Jul 03 10:34AMwe didnt 'loose' ronaldo. we sold hium for 80 million quid!....now thats a good deal....whats torres worth after his stay in scouse land....cant be more that a million or two profit as for getting owen on a free...a no brainer....remeber how good larsson was?...glory glory man united!
From stuartxland on Fri Jul 03 10:37AMJay - In September 2005, Inter rewarded him for his efforts with an improved contract running until June 30, 2010.
Since signing the new deal, Adriano's future at Inter has suffered due to poor performances in the past three seasons, fueled by questions and speculation regarding his work ethic, which was called into question when he was twice caught partying at nightclubs during the 2006-07 campaign. Brazilian coach Dunga did not call Adriano up for a friendly against Ecuador on October 10, 2006, and called for him to "change his behavior" and "focus on football".
On February 18, 2007, Adriano skipped a team practice due to effects from a lengthy celebration of his birthday the night before, which led to Inter manager Roberto Mancini benching him for the team's Champions League match against Valencia and subsequent Serie A fixture against Catania.
Adriano was sent off after head butting Santos fullback Domingos on February 10, 2008, and was suspended for two matches after initially risking a suspension of eighteen months.[13] He was fined by São Paulo on February 29 after arriving 30 minutes late for training, then leaving early and exchanging words with a photographer. According to team sporting director Marco Aurélio Cunha, Adriano "left the training ground because he wanted to. The team does not miss him. If he is not happy at São Paulo, he is free to go.
São Paulo sporting director Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva announced on June 17 that Adriano was returning to Inter ahead of schedule. "We have a balanced squad and it was better for Adriano to go back, given that we won’t be able to count on him for the rest of the campaign.
On November 16, 2007, Inter owner Massimo Moratti sent Adriano on unpaid leave to his native Brazil for the second time in eighteen months, as he was set to attend São Paulo's training center, due to his poor physical condition and a past battle with alcoholism.
In December, Internazionale allowed him special dispensation to return to Brazil over the winter break earlier than planned. Inter confirmed on April 4 that Adriano had not returned from international duty with Brazil and has had no contact with the club.[17] On April 24, Adriano finally rescinded his contract with Inter.
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:39AMTherefore Jay = more than 1 chance
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:39AMLol Jay I can hazard a guess something like £££££££&
pound;££££££&p
ound;££££££&po
und;££££££&pou
nd;££££££&poun
d;£££££££
;£££££££
£££££££&
pound;££££££&p
ound;££££££&po
und;££££££&pou
nd;££££££&poun
d;£££££££
;£££££££
£££££££&
pound;££££££&p
ound;££££££&po
und;££££££&pou
nd;££££££&poun
d;£££££££
;£££££££
£££££££&
pound;££££££&p
ound;££££££&po
und;££££££&pou
nd;££££££&poun
d;£££££££
;£££££££
£££££££&
pound;££££££&p
ound;££££££&po
und;££££££&pou
nd;££££££&poun
d;£££££££
;£££££££
£££££££&
pound;££
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:41AMNick I think Tony reaslised that we would have to buy a new Physio Suite just for Owen (but he would have done well with us we bring the best out in these older players)
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:42AMAndy - As a football fan i was sorry to see Laursen forced into retirement but the names touted around to replce him have been ridiculous. Bramble and Senderos were mentioned yesterday, its as if the papers think MON has no brain. I can see O'Neil going spain, Italy or France and finding a cheap but steady replacement there. I'd like to see more from Curtis Davies next season he has good potential and could be a future Engalnd international.
From jay8my on Fri Jul 03 10:42AMooooooooh what a pretty picture
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:43AMhow much will a city season ticket be next term??
From chrisw7892000 on Fri Jul 03 10:43AMAnne - The only two reason's you have given for Adriano going off the rails at Inter is...Work Ethic?? and Skipped training??, would u say Freddie Flintoff has gone off the rails as he has being guilty of both of those. The others i.e Headbutting, weren't done at Inter, which was where the original point started.
From jay8my on Fri Jul 03 10:45AMI am betting that United take their time and get MO fit to the point that he is eager to play as he used to. This manager is no fool and with his guidance I expect MO to be a goal scoring CF in the future. Have faith you MU fan's.
From roy_watkin1 on Fri Jul 03 10:46AMDid Owen still finish with a goal every 2 game average?? if so, even a pay as you play deal has to make sense to ANY Manager! It's zero cost to Manu apart any games he does play. if he plays 10 games in a season and scores 5 goals, he's already done as good as Tevez did last year!
From doobie.doobiedoo on Fri Jul 03 10:49AMJase - work ethic, skipped training, alcoholism, mental issues, headbutting - so what if that wasn't done at Inter, it was done last yr. Lets just leave it at that ok
, you dont want to be associated with those people who cant accept it and move on do ya From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:51AMu r kidding me? fergie is brilliant, first of all owen is free, second he is still a world class striker until the hs been proven failure this time, thirdly even he failed, it is just another bench warmer like nani , mu can afford it, fergie has nothing to lose, but if the other get owen n succeeded, we will be regretted! super smart signing!!!!!
From vincz99 on Fri Jul 03 10:51AMlol Nick true true but we could do with a goal hanger too
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 10:53AMWow, its hard to comprehend the situation that ManU are in now. With the windfall they've gotten for Ronaldo, they haven't signed a single quality centre foward yet, and none of the quality strikers out there seem to want to go to ManU. Why? Is it the crappy Manchester weather their afraid of? I don't get it...
From m_valadao on Fri Jul 03 10:55AMAnne lol 88 How dare you accuse me of being one of those haha, Altho i did originally say at Inter and u couldn't accept it coz ur such a twatANNEic.
From jay8my on Fri Jul 03 10:56AMLove the bit about the doctor saying Owen isn't injury prone then going on to brag about treating Dyer, Duff, Ashton and Bellamy......who all still miss at least 40% of each season...might not want to brag about your past failures Dr Green.
From resentdtox on Fri Jul 03 10:56AMya alreay we lost C.RONALDO so who will cover his place? i think RICARDO QUARESMA can replace him.
From makda53 on Fri Jul 03 10:57AM81-Zat Knight is one of the best 88 minute defenders in the country, he has got a touch of the Brambles. Davies is fine I agree but we need short term experience Campbell would be great but he would rock the boat with his wage demand, and we have a lot of young boys in the team so his concentration may falter!
From andy_lycett on Fri Jul 03 10:58AMDo you not think Campbell's too old Andy? for where we would like to be pushing next season, we could do with someone nearer 25 not 35
From doobie.doobiedoo on Fri Jul 03 11:02AM100!!
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 11:02AM100!!
From annieh97 on Fri Jul 03 11:02AM
Comment on this article
Please sign in to add your comments.
Early Doors – Your morning briefing
Sport Newsletter
Catch up with all the latest news
Sign up to our free daily newsletter to recieve the latest news straight to your inbox. Make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Sign up now
This site is Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! and Eurosport. All rights reserved.
- Terms of Service
- Updated Privacy Policy
- Copyright/IP Policy
- Remarks and Suggestions
- Corporate info
- Jobs at Eurosport
Notice: We collect personal information on this site. To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy.