Michael’s Morass
We will go ahead and make a prediction, this one isn’t going to end on amicable terms.
The BBC has reported that Michael Owen’s comeback from a torn ACL, suffered playing for England in the 2006 World Cup, has faced another bump in the road, as the oft-injured striker was not selected for the Newcastle reserve team squad to face Middlesbrough tonight.
Owen had played 70 min and scored a goal in an April 10 friendly against Gretna, and hoped that appearance tonight would lead to him being eligible for Sunday’s Premiership tie against Chelsea. However, after being dropped for the reserve squad match his future looks indefinite.
The question is whether or not this has anything to do with the player’s health, or if it is pure politics by Newcastle. Owen, itching to get back into the mix after missing most of the past three seasons, obviously wants to play. A good performance would recement his place in the England squad, and possibly get him a one way ticket out of Newcastle in the Summer.
Shepherd has all the motivation not to play Owen at the present time. Suffering from Bush-Iraq syndrome (by failing to admit that his 17m GBP investment has been a bust and parting with Owen), the “Fat Controller” would ideally wish to have Owen sit until the beginning of next season. Newcastle have no need for him, as they are comfortably assured of staying up, yet have no possibility of securing a European spot. FFS is so concerned about him reinjuring himself that he has threatened to take the FA to court to prevent Owen from appearing for England in European qualifiers over the summer.
There is also the added motivation of the ongoing legal battle with the FA over compensation for Owen’s World Cup Injury. Newcastle have attempted to claim damages for not just his salary, but the cost involved in obtaining his 10mGBP replacement Obafemi Martins (conveniently ignoring that he has been brilliant and they could probably sell him for double that in the summer). If Owen comes back and scores a brace against Chelsea, the black and white hinder an already weak defense of their case.
Owen will undoubtedly not be pleased with his club refusing to play him and refusing to allow him to appear for England. The additional factors that it is Newcastle and they won’t be playing in Europe won’t be endearing to a player who still has the potential to be an elite striker when healthy. The Fat Man will want to hold on to him, but he isn’t exactly ingratiating himself. Newcastle can’t afford to have another season hamstrung by an unhealthy and unhappy striker. Expect Owen to be wearing some form of Red next August, be it Arsenal, Man U, or most likely Liverpool.
Tags: England, FA, Michael Owen, Newcastle, Premiership
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10 May 2007 at 4:43 pm
[...] covered Michael’s already tenuous situation in the Northeast in a previous post. However, Newcastle chariman Fat Freddy Sheppard (aka FFS or The Fat Controller) added fuel to [...]