FOOTBALL: THE LEGEND SPEAKS

This is a post taken from:
http://www.goal.com
Zidane Believes Madrid Will Miss Owen
9/4/2005 9:22:00 PM

Zinedine Zidane believes that Real Madrid were wrong to allow Michael Owen to leave and that the England striker could turn around Newcastle's fortunes this season.

The French international admits he was sorry to see the former Liverpool star leave El Bernabéu stating that Owen is a world class player who will be difficult to replace.

"Michael returns to The Premiership an even better player for his experience in Spain," Zidane told a British Sunday newspaper.

"You know you are going to get goals when he’s in your side - and it’s goals that bring you success. I’m disappointed that Michael has chosen to leave Madrid because world-class players are difficult to replace.

"But he hasn’t left because he failed at Madrid - on the contrary I think he was a big success. He may have arrived with a big reputation but he returns an even better player."

Zidane believes that Owen could revive Newcastle United's season following his €25million switch because his arrival will lift the whole club.

"I know from my own experience that there are always question marks when you move from one country to another, but Michael has nothing to prove because his goals in a difficult league speak volumes for how good a player he is.

"A single player can suddenly lift morale at a club and the confidence that brings can have an incredible impact. People become better players around confident, world-class performers and that leads to success."

Owen joned Madrid last summer from Liverpool for €12million and only failed to appear in three matches for the team throughout the season.

Despite scoring 15 goals in all competitions for the Spanish giants he was still considered to be behind Ronaldo, Raúl and Robinho in the pecking order for a place in the starting line-up.

His initial wish to join Liverpool was thwarted when the Reds refused to match Madrid's asking price and he caved in on his demand to make the move to Newcaslt eon loan, by signing a four-year feal at St James' Park.





Now, let's talk about the World Cup qualifying matches...

OK, we have World Cup qualifying matches week now. We see how Argentina were beaten, how Italy were drawn, how England managed one goal from a midfielder and how Brazil and Portugal go on a goal feast. This is an early indication of what the next World Cup will hold.

Still, let us not forget too far from the 2002 World Cup. All the great indications of the qualifying were flushed down the toilet when the World Cup arrived. Everything goes upside down, inside out, backwards!

People argued it was held in Asia, which was totally a different timezone with different food, atmosphere and weather. This time, it is going to be in Germany, where most players who play in European clubs should more or less get used to it. Let's see how it is gonna be then.