Owen to Arsenal

[Warren]

He's still far too young and far too fit to be written off just yet, I think we would be of a better opinion on Owen at the end of next season.

[anfieldanfield]

He WILL NOT score goals if he doesn't play. That's the point AF. No-one knows how many games he has left in his career

[AFII]

He WILL NOT score goals if he doesn't play. That's the point AF. No-one knows how many games he has left in his career

You can say the same thing about Eto'o or Henry and a lot of other players. Not even Eto'o knows if the knee he injured will be ok in six months time. He said that himself.

Henry isn't that young anymore and no one knows how many more injuries he can take.

[Red Chilli]

You can say the same thing about Eto'o or Henry and a lot of other players. Not even Eto'o knows if the knee he injured will be ok in six months time. He said that himself.

You're quite right, you certainly can say that about any player.

HOWEVER, I don't go around saying "Eto'o WILL score goals, Henry WILL score goals".

I'm a little more guarded than you on that score, perhaps you might qualify more of your posts by using words like "might" and "may".

[AFII]

You're quite right, you certainly can say that about any player.

HOWEVER, I don't go around saying "Eto'o WILL score goals, Henry WILL score goals".

I'm a little more guarded than you on that score, perhaps you might qualify more of your posts by using words like "might" and "may".

Well, Eto'o, Henry and Owen will, may, perhaps score a goal or two if they are fit.

[AFII]

Owen swoop?
By Doug Bennett
Date: 21/6/2007

A shock move for Newcastle's Michael Owen was not ruled out by Thaksin Shinawatra, if Sven-Goran Eriksson is installed as the new Eastlands boss next week.

"Each coach has his own connection and they might bring some players that are very close to the coach and believe in the coach, and can give them the opportunity to shine," Shinawatra told Sky Sports News when quizzed about Owen.

"We will have to wait until we get the coach as well."

http://manchestercity.rivals.net/def...2&stid=8449536

[Guest]

Poor Owen. He should end his career right now. He'll end all his troubles, and ours also.

[AFII]

Thaksin Shinawatra would not rule out Michael Owen joining Manchester City, if Sven Goran Eriksson is appointed manager.

Eriksson is among the candidates to be Stuart Pearce's replacement as Shinawatra closes in on his takeover of the Premier League club.

Reports have claimed that Newcastle striker Owen would be a target for Eriksson and Shinawatra is open-minded on potential signings for City.

"Each coach has his own connection and they might bring some players that are very close to the coach and believe in the coach, and can give them the opportunity to shine," Shinawatra told Sky Sports News when asked if Owen could be a summer signing.

"We will have to wait until we get the coach as well."

Shinawatra will also leave a decision on the future of England international Micah Richards in the hands of the new manager.

He added: "I will leave it to the coach. I think he's a good player and if we can keep him we should keep him."

The former Thailand Prime Minister confirmed funds will be made available to strengthen the City squad.

On suggestions of a £50million transfer kitty, he said: "If necessary, £50m is £50m, or if necessary £20m or £30m, it depends.

"I can assure you we need two more strikers, two more midfielders and then maybe a goalkeeper, it depends on who we can get.

"We have to move the club forward so we are not No.14 any more. It depends on the coach and that is the reason why we want to start as soon as possible.

"We want to get new players to add to the team, we want to get a new coach to assemble a new team with the old team, so we can play well in this coming season."

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...goal&channel=&

[AFII]

Newcastle United are increasingly confident that Michael Owen will remain at the club next season, a development that will provide early validation for the new regime at St James’ Park. While Manchester United and Liverpool harbour an interest in the England striker, other targets are being pursued more vigorously, allowing his present employers to plan for life with their record signing in tow.

That news will be welcomed by Sam Allardyce, the manager, as well as by supporters, whose delight at the prospect of Mike Ashley’s £133 million takeover has been tempered by speculation surrounding Owen and Obafemi Martins, his teammate. Both forwards have release clauses in their respective contracts, but it is thought unlikely that Owen’s will be triggered this summer.

United’s pursuit of the 27-year-old stretches back to the World Cup finals, when Owen suffered a serious knee injury. Liverpool rivalled Newcastle for his signature in the summer of 2005, but were not prepared to match the £16 million fee accepted by Real Madrid and it is understood that Rafael BenÍtez, the manager at Anfield, is ambivalent towards their former player.

Public discussion regarding the existence of a £9 million get-out clause infuriated Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, who called upon Owen to commit himself to the club. That declaration has not followed, although Owen has never expressed any desire to leave Tyneside and used a recent column in The Times to confirm that he had enjoyed “a good chat” with Allardyce.

Glenn Roeder’s replacement intends to transform the culture at Newcastle into a replica of the system he employed at Bolton Wanderers – where emphasis was placed on psychology, sports science and innovations in diet and fitness – and Owen has been impressed by his vision. In Mark Viduka and Joey Barton, there have already been two quality additions to the squad.

Owen’s continued presence would also be a coup for Ashley, the billionaire businessman, who has assumed control at Newcastle. Ashley’s ambitions are high and that task will be assisted by Owen’s marketing potential and talent for scoring goals. Since joining Newcastle two years ago, he has been limited to 13 starts for the club because of injury and has acknowledged that he has yet to provide value for money.

Martins could leave for £13 million, £3 million more than Roeder paid Inter Milan ten months ago. Juventus have been linked with the 122-year-old, who scored 17 goals in his first season at Newcastle, and Arsène Wenger’s admiration for the Nigeria forward may be hardened if Thierry Henry leaves Arsenal; Martins this week spoke of his desire to stay on Tyneside.

If it is not dismantled, Allardyce’s striking quartet of Owen, Martins, Viduka and Shola Ameobi should be formidable and he has taken steps to bolster the rearguard. Having missed out on Tal Ben Haim, who joined Chelsea on a free transfer, he is expected to sign David Rozehnal, 26, the Paris St-Germain defender, for about £3 million and is also monitoring Sami Hyypia, of Liverpool, and Habib Beye, of Marseilles.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle1969201.ece