Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Onyewu wants a Premier move
Wolves have moved towards the front of the queue in their pursuit of Oguchi Onyewu after the defender declared he wants to move to England.
The giant 27-year-old’s contract expires with Standard Liege after the last game of the season at Genk and he’s available on a Bosman free transfer.
A source close to Onyewu said: “Oguchi wants to move to England.”
Fulham and fellow promoted side Birmingham are also tracking the 6ft 4ins USA international.
Marseille have already made contact with the player’s representatives, while their French rivals Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Real Betis, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Anderlecht, are also thought to be interested in the stopper.
But the defender’s preference of a move to England, where he played 11 games on loan at Newcastle in the second half of the 2006-07 season, puts Wolves in a more favourable position than their European rivals.
While the player only confirmed Marseille have been in contact, he believes he could have several options this summer.
He said: “Marseille are not the only ones to show interest. I will listen to all approaches and take my time to make a decision.”
Onyewu insists he’s ready to fight for his place in the knowledge he may not be a first choice.
He said: “I’m ready to take that risk. It would not be the first time. When I arrived at Standard, I was third choice. Even at La Louviere (in 2003), I was not in the team.”
For the moment, Onyewu will put all thoughts of his future to one side.
Tomorrow he bids to clinch a second successive Jupiler league title with Standard Liege.
His side are currently level on points with Anderlecht, who lead the table on goal difference going into the final round of matches this weekend.
Onyewu, who has 40 caps and played in the 2006 World Cup, was named in the Belgian league’s best XI last season and is the first defender since Alexi Lalas in 1995 to be crowned USA player of the year.
Wolves are in talks with captain Jody Craddock over extending his stay, but boss Mick McCarthy has made strengthening the centre of his defence a priority.
McCarthy has vowed to make Premier League experience a cornerstone of his squad strengthening and Wolves have also been linked with a host of other defensive targets, including Michael Mancienne and Calum Davenport.
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As much as i like Craddock, i think it’s pointless offering him a new deal to play Premiership football.
We need to move on from the days of our Butler + Craddock Premiership partnership.
Let him coach the kids or something.
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On yer wayu to WOLVES
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I think Craddock would be a great voice of experience around the dressing room. He can provide a link between the new experienced player we purchase and the current crop of youngsters.
Its only a one year contract so wont do any harm IMO. I would like to avoid sentimental reasons for contracts and transfers but Craddock deserves his final chance and contract. He did help steady a sinking ship and lead as captain Wolves to promotion.
The information about this defender sound promising and impressive. Has some eye catching stats and moments in his career.
Just hope if he does join us that it isn’t as a stepping stone and his own personnel goals. If he is a Bosman free this summer, can we not sign him now? Also I don’t remember him at Newcastle, does anyone know how he performed?? (Newcastle are not renowned for their impressive defensive purchases. :D)
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He didn’t have a great time at Newcastle, but who does? He joined at a bad time..
Since then by all accounts he has been fantastic.. helped Liege beat Everton in UEFA (or whatever its called now) cup.
Solid, strong, athletic.. him and Mancienne at the back please Mick!
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i remember Onyewu at Newcastle and he was shocking … but, i’m not judging him … the whole of N’castles back line was cr@p …
…. i think it wouldve been an sound learning experince that we will benefit from !!
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He’s worth signing just to hear Mick try and pronounce his name
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Sounds like another donkey of the ilk of Okowronkwo. I wonder if Joey Gudjohnson would be interested in another go in the Premiership along with Silas?
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Was Okoronkwo really that bad??? I thought he was decent and surprised we got rid.
He did have the best ever song I have heard tho. :)
“DO THE OKORONKWO AND YOU TURN AROUND, THATS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT! OOOOOOOOOOOO OKORONKWO!”
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1. I thought Butler would be a joke in the prem but actually he did pretty well – I think some people have forgotten that we actually didn’t do too badly. I honestly believe that if David James hadn’t saved that pen at Man City we could have made it. I feel the same about Berra so I’m hoping I’m wrong again. Either way keep Craddock and sign someone with pace (Mancienne if poss but I doubt we’ll get him).
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I more pleased about this target than Brian Stock (wtf).
We need some big strong quality at the back. He must be good with so many teams after him.
We need some quality and skill in the middle too like Palacio and Biglia and some more goals up front with someone like zigic ideal
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Cant believe nobodies mentioned stewart downing??? He wont want to play in the championship and he’s a quality player!!!!
PS Happy BDay Darling!!!
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11… Stewart Downing?
Some fans are living in a dream world!! A man recently linked with Liverpool will not come and play for Wolves, and we won’t be able to afford his wages!! What a plonker!! We’re more likely to get Keith Downing!!!
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I think what wolves need the most is a quality midfielder with a proven premiership track record. Normally this would be quite a hard task, but I rekon we could get downing from middlesbourgh for a reasonable fee. Added bonus being that he is pretty much world class as well.
As for defence, I think Micky should patch it up with Breen and get him back from Barnet. That guy was a brick in defence if you ask me.
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People on here slating him off obviously never watched Standard v Liverpool and Everton. They were the better team against both and this player played.
I will leave player judgement with our scouting team rather than armchair supporters.
SIGN HIM UP!
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12….. I think if i was living in a dream world, i wouldn’t be after downing???? Maybe Messi or somebody of that ilk???
R U STEVE MCCLAREN IN DISGUISE????
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11. Aussiewolf, there is no way Stewart Downing would come to Wolves, we couldn’t afford his wages to start off. Adam Johnson would be a better bet.
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Downing?
He would never come to Wolves, and we don’t need him! Why would we spend half our money on an overrated left winger?
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If we signed everybody we are linked with ,we will be able to field 10 teams next season.I don’t like the comment from this guy,that he would accept not being first choice.Our initial signings need to be significant players who will walk straight into our team and make a difference.Quality not quantity,please.
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brummierobwolves said: May 15th, 2009 at 1:09 pm People on here slating him off obviously never watched Standard v Liverpool and Everton. They were the better team against both and this player played.
Blimey that must have been one heck of a game – 11 players of Standard liege Vs Liverpool and Everton WOW – 33 players on the same pitch at the same time ;-)
Sorry couldnt resist it! :-)
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15 – stick with Aussie Rules Football or whatever it is you watch.
Why would someone who’s a regular in the England squad want to come to a club that are (probably) going to be battling relegation?
Especially in World Cup year.
Get some perspective you fool!
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15 – Aussie
Not Steve McClaren – Try Victor Meldrew
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No.18 – I think that is a good thing, he wants first team football, he has said that is whats most important! But, he also said he is willing to start on the bench.. he is just showing confidence that even if he starts on the bench he knows he will end up in the side!
I think that is the kind of spirit that got us up this year.. you didn’t see Stearman sulking because he lost his place to 2 people on better form?
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Yea don’t judge this bloke for how he performed at Newcastle. Look at Colloccini, great defender but his performances since joining Newcastle make Neil Collins look like Nemanja Vidic(very slight exageration)!
I think he can be a hit at wolves but would need time and support and lets face it, we’re still a million miles away from signing him!
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19) Don’t give some of these ammo to have a go. Apparently as I am a Wolves fan from Birmingham – alongwith numerous others that have been everywhere with Wolves – I should not be on this site and go and support teams more local that I despise.
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The stephen warnock rumours are what interest me, more than onyewu (in addition to downing hahahahahahahahahaha).
Anyone else heard rumours on Warnock?
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I dont rate downing and he would,nt come to wolves anyway, we need another striker,2 midfielders one snotter and a playmaker and a couple of centre backs…Deep in my heart i do believe.
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Brummie Rob,I am sure it was just a bit of humour from Usual Suspects. I remember you believed last season when some of us had doubts,and I remember all the away games you went to.
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15.AUSSIEWOLF……Don`t take it personal, Bobwolf likes to moan about anything Wolves,he must be really p****d that we made it to the premier……he`s never happier unless he`s moaning, just have a thought for his poor mrs
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More chance of this guy going to Fulham (London lifestyle) than coming to us (pukka pie n chips)
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9- didnt we score off the rebound to that Pen save. I do agree if we had help on in that game and not let SWP score in the last min we would of stayed up!
I wasnt having a go at him, was just curious how he performed previously in the Prem. He sounds really good to me
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28- you actually think he is married?
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6 … Interesting thought. It is apparently pronounced Oon – Yah – Way.
11 … Who are you wishing happy birthday ?
I’ve sent an electronic birthday card this year to Grace Slick; she is 70 this year. The ogiginal and best female rock singer.
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24 Use to work with a blouse fan in the east mids – last year – he kept on about how Wolves would fail and Reading and Blouse would go up – Of course I pointed out that I didnt care as long as Wolves went up 1st or 2nd didnt matter
NB* Funny thing is I had to explain to him that Wolves fans (as far as rivals are concerned) considered Boggies as our arch enemy and as a Blouse fan his arch rival is Villa – Some folk are just plain ODD ;-)
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Young and hungry talent is what is needed whether on a permanent basis or utilising the loan market. I completely agree we need a few experienced premier heads my choice would be free transfers of Shaun Davies, Jermaine Pennant and Sol Campbell. Young quality targets being:
Michael Johnson (man city) out of favour
Joe Hart (Man City) as above
Craig Gardener (aston villa)
Joe Ledley (cardiff)
Jamie O hara (spurs)
Macheda (man utd) loan
Aaron Ramsay (arsenal) loan
Tom Huddlestone (spurs)
Lee Cattermole (wigan)
Experience is vital but so is youth and pace. If it is 0-0 with 20 mins to go and you bring on 2 lightning quick players it will cause problems. I think we are on the right track just better quality of younger players to replace the weaker ones in our squad. I bet the albion wish they were in our shoes.
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I think wolves need 4 new players for first 11 plus a few quality players to challenge the players that got us promoted.
> New goalie needed (don’t need a string of performances like hennessey @ brum).
> foley, berra, elokobi ok for premier; need a player with them like Onyewu.
> kightley, jarvis ok for prem and I think henry can do the monster masch role – need an argentine or some skillful foreigner with the skill and vision to play through premier defences (NOT DOWNING! & NOT BRIAN STOCK!!!)
> seb will be our top scorer whoever we buy. Need a big ball winner next to him who can chip in with a few e.g. zigic crouch heskey
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32….. Its my civil partners bday, he’s 30 today!!!
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I would much rather have danny shittu. He has experience in the prem which this guy doesnt. He is as big if not bigger than this guy. Also he must be dying to prove a point after last season at bolton and we could get him for around 2 mil.
Its one thing to say get downing which will not happen but gary breen? please.
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I like Onyewu, be reminds me of a better George Berry, and we know how that turned out in 1980…While we’re at it I would like them to get another American, Landon Donovan, the dude has hart and would be a terrific attacking mid.
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Stop messing about with targets as we often have done in the past and get him signed up. We all know the unimaginative Blues will be after every player we go for this summer.
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What about stealing a march for Fabian Delph now Leeds season is over, ahead of our Premier League rivals who are interested in him?
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You can almost see it can’t you.
MM to Moxey ”I would like X please”.
Moxey to MM ”leave it with me I will sort it”
Moxey thinks: If I leave it till the end of summer and nobody else comes in for X I can save £5.
3 weeks later, Moxey to MM ;’’sorry Mick I tried my hardest but he went to Wigan instead”
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Merry (Took) – Craddock: think more of a reward for doing a great job in making a major contribution to promotion – not so much sentimentality; more of a pension!
Noisy – we are so much better placed than before and with a replacement keeper and centre-half, we would still be doing Premieriship business. Again, must do something abouit the defence, as a priority.
PLEASE, please, Manciene, come and sign for us; you will be a very big hero, ‘cos we are staying up anyway! Wonder what the odds are at the moment…?
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how about senderos just back from loan spell with ac milan,he,s young and got premier league experience, fits perfect for what mm looking for…Deep in my heart i do believe.
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Numerous comments on HE WONT COME TO WOLVES why not for heavens sake.Potentially top 8 (Look at Fulham/Wigan)Mr Morgan has already stated he is prepared to pay premiership wages.If JM/MM sign the right type of quality then i am convinced we will more than hold our own next year and then progress further in the years to come.
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English Exile
Relax
We need the transfer window to open before we can sign anyone, mate.
KTF
Wolves forever
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