Michael Owen has revealed his anxieties over the coming season, in an interview with daily tabloid newspaper The Mirror. He also confirmed that whilst negotiations about his contract have opened, it will take time to come to an agreement. The 28 year old is currently injured and failed to play in Newcastle recent preseason cup, he will also be unavailable to face Valencia this weekend.
Owen said:
"We have been opening contract negotiations, there have been a couple of meetings so far but it will take time."
He then highlighted a worrying pattern in his previous seasons.
"It is certainly not the ideal build-up.
In the successful seasons in my career I have always had a good preseason, and when not I have struggled a bit."
With regards to his fitness, manager Kevin Keegan is hoping Owen will be fit to face Manchester United on August 17th - Newcastle's first match of the season.
He said:
"Michael will want to play and maybe have half a match (friendly), but I've told him I won't risk him. He'll be fit for Manchester United as long as he doesn't have any setbacks.
He's just started running again and done a lot of strength work. He's a very fit boy.
We must get some football into him again now but we can do that internally without throwing him into a game five days after his comeback."
Dude is made of glass, and is edging closer to being the most disappointing NUFC signing of all time. Also good to see he's his regular optimistic self.
he's greedy, wants too much money, if he wanted to stay it wouldn't take this long to sign a new deal.
Owen....you're getting old, nobody wants you...if you want to stay then stay,,,,if not....get out of dodge,,,none of us will shed a tear if you do.
well i expect they are offering him less money and more incentives like games played and i dont blame for wanting at least the same deal he has now. I think that ultimatly something will get done. It hinges on him showing that he can be fit for the season i think....he needs to play 30+ prem games this year...once he is on the field and scoring i think this will blow over....
there is little doubt the summer hasn't been ideal, players that we should have signed have gone elsewhere and we haven't had a clear aim in mind and the money to back it. Not to mention of course the 5/6/7 players at a time being injured!
Personally I'm a big fan of incentive-based deals, especially for aging and/or highly-paid and/or injury-prone players. When a player refuses to take a deal rich in incentives they give themselves a vote of no confidence and shouldn't be signed. You want another four years of a guaranteed £100K/week, even if you oly play in a third of the club's matches? Jog on!
It's a big risk though, he knows he could just say no to any new offers that don't go near his current wages and then just play out the season still picking up £100k+ a week and if he has a successful season will most likely get that again from us in order for us to keep him instead of leaving on a free.
Well if he isn't sold in this window and we can put together a decent campaign (Owen playing well enough to justify another high-wage contract would help with that) I say let him go and spend his wages on David Villa.
The rumour is that Spurs want him for 12m I for one would sell him and try to buy a big striker to play alongside Martins.
As said above made of glass, and costs a fortune, one year on contract refusing to sign another one year is not worth 12m to see him leave for nothing, for me bye bye time
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