Vexed Michael Owen to be offered new deal
May 16 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
NEWCASTLE United will offer Michael Owen a new contract at the end of the season providing Alan Shearer has kept the club in the Premier League.
Owen, who is expected to keep his place in the starting line-up against Fulham today, has taken legal action against a national newspaper which claimed the 29-year-old intends to quit football at the end of the season.
That suggestion was vehemently denied by Owen and also ridiculed by Shearer, who delivered yet another staunch defence of the Newcastle captain as he backed his former team-mate to silence his critics.
Owen has endured one of the toughest periods of his career following widespread criticism of his recent form and goal-scoring record – the former England regular has found the net just once in his last 16 games.
Nevertheless, The Journal has been told by senior figures at St James’s Park that United still want to keep him and will offer a new contract in the summer, although this will only happen once the Magpies’ Premier League future has been decided.
Owen decided to put all talks on hold at the start of the year as Newcastle withdrew a £70,000-a-week, four-year deal which also contained lucrative add-ons linked to appearances and goals. A similar deal will be offered if United stay up, although it remains to be seen whether Owen accepts after four years on Tyneside.
In the meantime, Shearer has warned those who have attacked Owen this season that the striker is likely to leave them with egg on their face. He said: “Write Michael Owen off at your peril. People analyse because of what he is, where he has been, and what he has achieved in the game. But the beauty of being a player is that you always get the chance to have the last laugh.
“Yes, he needs a goal and we would love him to score the goals, but I still have every belief in Michael Owen. Don’t doubt that. I am still 100% convinced that if we give him chances, he will score goals. As a Newcastle fan, I would want him in a Newcastle shirt next season, as long as it’s in the Premier League. I still believe that Michael Owen, in a Premier League side, will score goals. I’ve no doubt about that. I’m convinced of it, if he gets the chances.”
Having operated in the national spotlight ever since he made his England debut at 18, Shearer denied Owen was suffering because of the personal criticism which has been fired at him in recent weeks.
He said: “He seems fine. I think he’s used to the attention, and whether that’s good or bad you have to handle that. He’s a big-name player, but he’s part of a team that enjoyed winning the other evening.
“While he didn’t score, he played his part and the other guys did score. We’ll be looking for exactly the same tomorrow. I think he’s still as driven, and for anyone to suggest that he’s not is a slight on him.
“People don’t really know his character if that’s the case. He’s still in love with football, there’s no doubt about that. I know that, so if anyone suggests differently, they’re wrong.”
