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Real Betis Interested in US Defender Onyewu
The struggling Seville outfit needs a centerback, and the Standard Liege beast could fit the bill.
Feb 21, 2009 10:12:37 AM
US international Oguchi Onyewu can now add Spanish side Real Betis to the list of teams interested in winning his signature this summer. Reports out of Spain claim that Betis, who are currently in 15th place and looking to bolster their central defense next season, have started tracking the Standard Liege centerback.
Spanish paper Estadio Deportivo reports that Betis’s technical director, Manuel Momparlet, traveled to Portugal this week to watch Standard’s UEFA Cup match against Sporting Braga. Despite entering the game having not conceding a goal in 420 minutes of league play, Onyewu and the Standard defense failed to produce an impressive performance, as the hosts trounced the Belgian champions 3-0.
Still, the Verdiblancos technical team likes what they see in “Optimus Prime,” a new nickname for the 6-4, 210-pound Onyewu overheard at the recent US-Mexico World Cup qualifier in Columbus. They reportedly like his proven track record and diverse resume, including his 39 caps for the U.S. National Team and stints in both the French and English leagues. Plus, he was a stalwart during Standard’s run to the Jupiler League championship in 2008, their first in 25 years.
Other names receiving attention as possible defensive reinforcements for Paco Chaparro’s side include FC Basel’s David Abraham, Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Haggi, and Villarreal’s Fabricio Fuentes.
The 26-year-old Onyewu, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was linked to Ligue 1 sides Olympique Marseille and Paris St. Germain during the January transfer window. The offer reportedly came in around $4 million. But Standard chose not to sell, deciding Onyewu was too important to their UEFA Cup campaign and their hopes of repeating as champions. Les Rouches are currently in second place, one point behind leaders Anderlecht.
Spain would be an interesting landing spot for Onyewu. His technical skills remain limited, but his defensive vision and positioning have improved in recent years and he has the athleticism and strength to handle La Liga’s most powerful strikers, such as Fredi Kanoute, from Betis’s derby rivals Sevilla. Furthermore, he is an offensive threat on set pieces, boasting five international goals and 13 league goals for Standard since joining the club in 2004.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
Spanish paper Estadio Deportivo reports that Betis’s technical director, Manuel Momparlet, traveled to Portugal this week to watch Standard’s UEFA Cup match against Sporting Braga. Despite entering the game having not conceding a goal in 420 minutes of league play, Onyewu and the Standard defense failed to produce an impressive performance, as the hosts trounced the Belgian champions 3-0.
Still, the Verdiblancos technical team likes what they see in “Optimus Prime,” a new nickname for the 6-4, 210-pound Onyewu overheard at the recent US-Mexico World Cup qualifier in Columbus. They reportedly like his proven track record and diverse resume, including his 39 caps for the U.S. National Team and stints in both the French and English leagues. Plus, he was a stalwart during Standard’s run to the Jupiler League championship in 2008, their first in 25 years.
Other names receiving attention as possible defensive reinforcements for Paco Chaparro’s side include FC Basel’s David Abraham, Bayer Leverkusen’s Karim Haggi, and Villarreal’s Fabricio Fuentes.
The 26-year-old Onyewu, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was linked to Ligue 1 sides Olympique Marseille and Paris St. Germain during the January transfer window. The offer reportedly came in around $4 million. But Standard chose not to sell, deciding Onyewu was too important to their UEFA Cup campaign and their hopes of repeating as champions. Les Rouches are currently in second place, one point behind leaders Anderlecht.
Spain would be an interesting landing spot for Onyewu. His technical skills remain limited, but his defensive vision and positioning have improved in recent years and he has the athleticism and strength to handle La Liga’s most powerful strikers, such as Fredi Kanoute, from Betis’s derby rivals Sevilla. Furthermore, he is an offensive threat on set pieces, boasting five international goals and 13 league goals for Standard since joining the club in 2004.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
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