On Friday, the Sun lead it’s sports pages with the news that Chelsea will go for Michael Owen in the January transfer window. After failing to get Robinho on transfer deadline day, it appears that Scolari wants some backup to help the Blues’ title charge.
The Newcastle strikers contract runs out next year, and The Sun claims that Chelsea could nab him for less than £5 million, a potential bargain in a time where cutbacks are being made at Stamford Bridge. Brazilian midfielder Mineiro was brought in on a free transfer, and the club has laid off 15 scouts. Even Roman Abramovich is feeling the pinch during the global financial crisis.
There is no doubt that Owen can score goals. His record for England is top notch (40 goals in 89 Internationals), and he has a healthy record for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle. He has scored 196 goals in 390 games in his career. What isn’t in doubt is that he scores goals everywhere he goes.
Combined with Didier Drogba, the two could strike up a potent attacking partnership. Drogba could use his aerial prowess to create the chances for Owen to put away.
The Ivorian’s most fruitful season at Chelsea - in 2006/2007 when he scored 33 goals in all competitions - was due in part to the fact that he was partnered by Andrei Shevchenko for most of the campaign.
The only negative is his record of injuries. Owen seems to spend more time in the treatment room then out on the pitch. It would be like the second coming of Arjen Robben. Since moving to Newcastle in 2005, he has made only 56 appearances in all competitions. Frank Lampard usually racks that up in one season for the Blues.
If Chelsea did sign Owen, and Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba managed to stay fit, having Owen on the sidelines might not be too much of a problem. But if Drogba continues to be plagued by injuries and Anelka continues to flatter to deceive against top class opposition, then having to rely on Owen could have Scolari sweating.
With all three out injured, the burden of firing a title charge would rest on the shoulders of precocious but inexperienced Franco Di Santo.
Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to weigh these factors up before deciding whether to gamble on Owen. If he does, he will hope his gamble will steer Chelsea through the credit-crunch and towards trophies come the end of the season in May.
What do you think? Should Chelsea try to nab Owen in the January transfer window? Or should Chelsea look at other options? Vote in the poll and leave your comments below.
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Yoosof Farah 7 months ago
i think chelsea should go for someone else. owen is a fantastic player, and a proven goalscorer, but he is plauged by injuries and it does seem he might be physically incapable of playing three or four games in a row. and no way could scolari rely on owen to stay fit and clear from injuries. but then again £5m is a very cheap price for a player of his calibre. it's a tough choice, but i think they should look at other options.
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Alan McGuinness 7 months ago
I think that other options might prove to be too expensive at the moment. Luis Fabiano is a name that is mentioned regularly in the media, but I think Sevilla want something like £20 million for him.
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Arvind Gopalakrishnan 7 months ago
Owen would be a terrific buy for Chelsea. Look at his goal scoring at Liverpool when their service was not anywhere near what it is now. His stint at Real Madrid was pretty good considering the fact that he spent most of his time there on the bench. Yes, his record at Newcastle has been horrific in terms of games played but he has still delivered goals when it mattered. For 5m, frankly, he is a steal. Imagine Lampard and Cole sending in those balls in to the box with Owen in the box.
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Alan McGuinness 7 months ago
That would be a nice sight. Thanks for commenting Arvind.
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