On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Sandperson]

I'd be suprised if he went to Chelsea but I am suprised he doesn't want to stay at United so I'm not sure what his motivations are. That's what I meant about the Drogba thing, if he wants more starts then he's going to have to go to a team where he'll be first choice striker and although I think he's good I don't think he'd start ahead of Drogba, so I guess you are right, City would be a logical choice, but if I were him I'd go abroad.

[Keef]

Do you think that maybe there is some truth in the story that his feelings were hurt that he didn't get offered a contract earlier, and that he felt the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo would never have been made to wait? That is what his agent / owner is saying... Could be true, as he seems a bit of an emotional type, which I think is not a bad thing.

What happened to the local rivalry between Man U and City though? Surely if he won't join Liverpool, he should be hesitant to join City...

Shame Everton can't afford him, as I think he'd suit them well.

[Keef]

In other news, Hull have apparently shown an interest in signing Owen on a free. Surely he wouldn't go there, how the mighty have fallen!

Villa also mentioned, and that would seem a better choice for him. Or ... Everton? He was a Liverpool player, but lets not forget he was a blue as a boy, and available on a free, so they could make an offer. Surely he's going to have to take a substantial pay cut wherever he goes!

I still think he has something to offer if he stays fit. Don't think it's fair to judge him on Newcastle's last season, when he couldn't get a touch of the ball!

[matthew123]

I'd take Owen back to Anfield - use him as an impact player from the bench. Free transfer, got to be worth a punt.

I think one of the other factors with Tevez is that they're aren't many, if any?, Spanish speakers at Old Trafford as based on his poor English he probably did feel marginalised.

The fact Liverpool bid ?25.5m for Tevez suggests they've budgetted for a major new striker, but who I don't know..

More importantly what is going to happen to Steve McManaman next season with no Premiership on Setanta? He'd be an asset to Sky or BBC... but I suspect he'll end up on ITV with Teddy, Robbie and Andy if he can withstand the waffle.

[Sandperson]

I think he'll struggle to stay fit now. I don't think he'll ever be back to his best. It's a real shame, that goal he scored against Argentina in the World Cup was one of my all time faves.

As for Tevez, I think there's a lot of underestimation going on in Manchester of just where City could be if they get their buying tactics right in the next few seasons. We still see them as the poorer rival to United and I think they could take a lot of teams by suprise. It worked for Chlesea after all and that's not a jibe about buying the title as I think any team in their positions would have done the same. Tevez might have had his nose put out of joint by the contract stuff but I'm not sure that is true, Fergie isn't stupid and he's sees these guys day in, day out. I'm sure he would have realised that he needed to reassure him if there were signs of him being annoyed. I think it just comes down to starting games and he didn't start enough.

[Keef]

I'd take Owen back to Anfield - use him as an impact player from the bench. Free transfer, got to be worth a punt.

I'd love to see him back, sentimental or not, I think he still has something, even if he never quite gets his best form back, which SP is probably right in saying he won't.

It is a shame though, would have loved to have seen him carry on for England, and still think he's better than some of the deadwood in the squad, at international level!

[Atila Reincarnate]

I'd have Owen at our place on a freebie, his record since leaving Real hasn't been great but if he's fit I think he's got something to give. And while at Real he did do too badly did he, even if he did start mostly on the bench.

[matthew123]

Owen is still a fox in the box - lacks the pace and fitness but knows how to put the ball in the net better than any current English player. It is bizarre and a massive question mark against Capello that Owen is not in that England squad. If England want to win the World Cup it ain't gonna be done by a half chance falling to Carlton Cole or Peter Crouch!

Another point about Capello is why is David James still England Number 1? James is technically perfect but he has a long history of clangers when the pressure is really on ... that will never change ... it's inevitable what will happen in a tight World Cup knockout match if he is in goal.

[kpc]

Owen - hasn't been able to prove his at Newcastle. Any club taking him on at present know that it would be a risk - hence Hull's (alleged) appearance/goals based offer. And Capello is right not to pick him for England at present.

As for James, sure he's faulted but just shows that the other contenders aren't good enough and probably never will be at the highest level.

[matthew123]

Oh dear the excuses are rolling out for Egypt being stuffed 3-0 by the Yanks in the Confederations Cup - apparently Egypt players were robbed by a bunch of hookers they brought back to their hotel rooms after the beat Italy few days back. Absolutely shameful behaviour from so called professional footballers - picking up prostitures on the high street in Jo'burg, one of the AIDS capitals of the world.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010confederations-cup/2009/06/21/1338394/south-african-media-egypt-players-were-robbed-by-prostitutes-not

[Sandperson]

Talk about kicking a group of fans when they are down:

What made them think this was a good idea?

[kpc]

At least Joey Barton will receive a proper punishment if forced to wear it.

[Keef]

Oh dear!

[matthew123]

ESPN wins rights to the 2 packages for next season taken from Setanta - ESPN will have 46 games for the Monday night and Saturday evening slots. Games will available via Sky platform. How much this is going to cost is yet to be determined but hopefully they'll have the games in HD otherwise I won't be signing up.

No details on how much they paid for the rights but it must have been a good chunk as Sky were believed to have bid for the Monday night football package.

[Annasfield]

T'is official then - Johnson is a red.

[matthew123]

They've reached agreement between the Clubs and player - but it still has to be signed. Not saying Chelsea will now come in and gazump Liverpool but I prefer these official announcements to be made once the deal is legally bound.

[Annasfield]

They're welcome to him at that price.

Rumour has it on the offical forums that we've been bought, which is why we can afford to splash that much cash. How dull is this time of year.

[Mick Mac]

Anna - are you saying Liverpool have been bought?

[Annasfield]

Errr, yes I think thats what I said.

I wonder......

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5395106,00.html

[matthew123]

Hmmm I don't think Liverpool have been bought, otherwise why would George Gillett have agreed to sell his beloved Montreal Canadians for ?330m this weekend. I think that Arab money is for 60% in another Club unless you're talking a different deal from that reported in papers today. I could be wrong but I think these forum rumours are bull.

Why are Liverpool spending money - well they've made the GJ and Tevez bids (amounting to approx ?43m) a few weeks ago and I don't think with business the way it is the Yanks would have sanctioned Rafa spending that kind of money if it was dependant on a takeover being finalised. The other reason I don't think it's true is why would the Yanks announce to great fanfare that we have a new Managing Director.

[Mick Mac]

Annasfield Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Errr, yes I think thats what I said.

>

> I wonder......

>

> http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_53951

> 06,00.html

You said "we" have been sold - no mention of any club by name - just wanted to confirm this was Liverpool...I know you probably take it for granted that "we" means Liverpool in your world Anna. ;-)

[matthew123]

LOL - I knew what Anna meant ;-)

[Annasfield]

Oh Mick. Surely you know me well enought by now.

[Mick Mac]

I know Anna - I just wanted to confirm - as I can't quite believe anyone would want to buy it.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Freddie Sears [West Ham - Crystal Palace] season-long loan

Are we mad he hardly has a huge wage bill and a great player what is he going to learn at CP.. Maybe gets a few more games but still

Roque Santa Cruz [blackburn - Man City] ?17.5m finally