Owen Officially Off To Real

wrigh2uk · 13-08-2004, 14:48

Quote:

Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Michael Owen is leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid.

The Merseysiders' new boss claims it has been impossible for Owen to resist the lure of joining David Beckham in the Spanish capital, and he is busy reshaping his plans without the England international forward.

Antonio Nunez will head for Anfield in part-exchange, a right-sided midfielder who will provide extra cover in that area, and Benitez will look to spend some of the Owen fee on the likes of Real Sociedad's Xabi Alonso and Barcelona man Luis Garcia.

The Spanish revolution is well underway at Liverpool and more developments will occur before the weekend.

"When I arrived here, the problem of the situation was that Michael had 14 months on his contract to run," said Benitez.

"I now have three strikers.

"It's bad that Michael's gone but we have three very good forwards and I'll be looking for a solution in the future.

"I hope that Michael can play in Madrid and Nunez can play in Liverpool."

With Danny Murphy also departing, for Charlton Athletic, the English influence at the great club is waning. At least Steven Gerrard snubbed the overtures from Chelsea in order to continue leading the side from midfield.

Owen would have been available for nothing under the Bosman Ruling next year but talks over a new deal had looked to be progressing well with the striker revealing last week that he was "closer than ever" to accepting a new deal.

The Deeside-born danger man will not be meeting Patrick Vieira in Madrid as the Arsenal captain has announced he is now staying at Highbury.

118 goals in 216 league appearances is testament to the 24-year-old's goalscoring ability and his Liverpool highlights, after scoring on his debut against Wimbledon, include a match-turning double strike in the 2001 FA Cup final.

Source : Skysports

Ketsbaia · 13-08-2004, 14:50

What the fuck is that? :|

wrigh2uk · 13-08-2004, 14:52

Thierry14 · 13-08-2004, 15:07

Micheal Owen has done well to leave the scousers...
In his career they are never going to get where they used to be...
Though Rafa is a good manager, they won't touch Arsenal and United...
They will challenge Chelsea though...
Maybe the fight for Third/Fourth will be as good as the fight for the title...
No Offence Liverpool fans, just my opinion...

BazHilder · 13-08-2004, 15:53

I think Liverpool got ripped off and Benitez has made one hell of a bold statement not long after becoming manager. It's a brave move but time will tell if it was the right one...

CtrlAltDel · 13-08-2004, 16:09

Repost: http://forum.pesgaming.com/showthread.php?t=13528

and I'll just reiterate what i said there...

Quote:

Originally Posted by CtrlAltDel

Why do you think hes going there...the SAME reason Beckham did...anyone thats going to throw that much money at someone that had an absolutely terrible year last year, is going to get him.

He would have been stupid not to go.

$$$$$$$$

LiamK · 13-08-2004, 16:10

How many games does Owen expect to get at Real Madrid, when Raul, Ronaldo and Morientes will all be there next season.

I think it's a conspiracy that the Spanish FA are trying to ruin England's best players so that we cannot compete properly in WC2006

Ogopa Djz · 13-08-2004, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiamK

How many games does Owen expect to get at Real Madrid, when Raul, Ronaldo and Morientes will all be there next season.

I think it's a conspiracy that the Spanish FA are trying to ruin England's best players so that we cannot compete properly in WC2006

Yeah 4 real. What the fuck is he thinking.

BazHilder · 13-08-2004, 16:17

Nice idea, won't make any difference to them though if they can't ever get out of their group though. I do find it incredible that he's gone there to be 3rd if not 4th choice cos Raul is the captain and Ronaldo does brilliantly for them.

Sycamore · 13-08-2004, 16:21

he should have went with heskey off to birmingham or where he plays. loool

he aint better then cisse, baros, ronaldo, morientes or raul.

markanddawn · 13-08-2004, 16:22

talking as a season ticket holder at anfield, not surprised and not that bothered, owen has been great for liverpool but he isnt the player he was and i know that a lot of people have said that. the last two seasons has been poor by his standard, real are getting a bargain but rafa is building his own team. baros will now get the chance he deserves and cisse will be there of course! better to sell now than get nothing at all! happend to us with macca if you remember! im lucking forward as a liverpool fan and some of the names rafa is linked with is encouraging, people we have heard of and are coming from a decent pedigree! not like the french loser before.

as a england fan i am gravely worried that owen will not get regular 1st team action at real and that owen will become less of a player as has david beckham!

we shall see!

BazHilder · 13-08-2004, 16:25

It must be a bit of a kick in the teeth for Cisse because when he agreed to join Houllier was manager and he was looking forward to partnering Owen up front and they've both left.

Result about Heskey though...

LiamK · 13-08-2004, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by BazHilder

Nice idea, won't make any difference to them though if they can't ever get out of their group though. I do find it incredible that he's gone there to be 3rd if not 4th choice cos Raul is the captain and Ronaldo does brilliantly for them.

I can't understand it either, I mean, he doesn't look like the money-grabbing type of player and it definately seems as though he's going to be behind Raul and Ronaldo in the pecking order, possibly even Morientes.

He's got a family (I think) that'll need relocating as well, so it he must've had to give it some serious thought before moving.

I just can't see him moving his family to a different country where he's not going to be first or even second choice. It's screaming mercenary at the moment, but he just doesn't appear to be that type of player.

*wolf* · 13-08-2004, 16:32

It would be a major mistake if Owen goes to Real Madrid cos there will be Raul and Ronaldo who are starting as strike partnerships. But maybe I am wrong.

**Mc Clean** · 13-08-2004, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by *wolf*

It would be a major mistake if Owen goes to Real Madrid cos there will be Raul and Ronaldo who are starting as strike partnerships. But maybe I am wrong.

ur rite! Raul, Ronaldo and Morientes! i personally dont think owen is better than any of them . . . . . . i think the reason owen left is because he was demanding too much money off the club??