'Wor Michael', anyone?

Questionable decision
At that time the speedy striker looked unlikely to win major honours at Liverpool FC, but with Raúl González and Ronaldo seemingly the first names on the team sheet at the Santiago Bernabéu, his chances of first-team football in Spain appeared uncertain. While his season in Madrid proved reasonably fruitful - 13 league goals in his intermittent spells in the side enhancing his reputation nicely - Owen's decision to move to Newcastle United FC has left many scratching their heads in wonder again.

Liverpool calling
It had been suggested that Owen's protracted negotiations with the north-east club were a means of teasing Liverpool into bringing the 25-year-old back to Anfield. Certainly, the Reds supporters at last Friday's UEFA Super Cup seemed eager to be reunited with one of their greatest names of recent years as they chorused, "There's only one Michael Owen".

Striking trio
Now that song will be heard on Tyneside rather than Merseyside, with Owen having signed a four-year deal with Graeme Souness's team. There he will link up with fellow newcomer, Albert Luque, and his former England strike partner Alan Shearer, who played an instrumental role in luring Owen north. "I've had several phone calls with him, and spent a fortune calling Madrid, but I don't have to tell him what passionate supporters we have," revealed Shearer in the days after Newcastle agreed a €23.5m fee for the player, adding: "They love their goalscorers up here and he would be a hero."

Bronze statue
Of that there is little doubt. The bronze statue of 1940s and 1950s Newcastle hero 'Wor Jackie' Milburn stands outside St James' Park as testimony to Geordie fans' love of a great forward. However, if it was ambition that took Owen - scorer of 118 goals in 216 Premiership games for Liverpool - to Madrid, then a transfer to Newcastle - without a domestic trophy since 1955 - hardly looks like adding to his medal collection.

European loss
Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Manchester United FC highlighted how far Newcastle are from being title contenders in England. And even if the addition of two such quality strikers as Owen and Luque provides a mighty boost, it will not give back the place in Europe that Newcastle lost after bowing out against Deportivo in the UEFA Intertoto Cup semi-finals.

Primary concern
However, as Madrid director of football Arrigo Sacchi recognised, the FIFA World Cup rather than club football was the player's overriding concern. "He asked us if he could leave because it is a World Cup year and he wasn't going to play regularly here," said Sacchi. "You can't keep a player who wants to leave and especially one has got such clear reasons."

Focal point
Meanwhile, the hope on Tyneside is that Owen's arrival will kick-start a new era for the club. "He's someone we would love to build the team around," said Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd. With a little luck it will be Owen's prodigious skills rather than his decision-making that will make the headlines for the duration of his stay at St James' Park.