Matilda and I are both Americans. The prospect of another Yank coming to play at BWFC is ridiculously exciting (although I may be more psyched for this than Mattie). Rumors are starting to circulate that Bolton are keeping tabs on AC Milan man Oguchi Onyewu. The big centre back has been a rock for the United States Men’s National Team. At 6’4, he’s two inches shorter than Zat Knight, but built like a horse (see: ESPN the Magazine’s 2009 Body issue).
American fans were quite excited when Onyewu made the move from Standard Liège to AC Milan. Unfortunately, the move hasn’t worked out so well for Gooch. Now in the second year of a three year deal, he’s made one competitive appearance for the Italian side, coming on in the 60th minute during a 1-0 loss to FC Zurich in the Champions League. Apart from that one match, Onyewu missed the entire 2009/2010 season after suffering a knee injury on October 14, 2009 while playing for the National Team.
The Yank has had one spell in the Premier League already and frankly, it didn’t go well. He spent six months with Newcastle United for the second half of the 2006/2007 season but we don’t really like to talk about that.
If Onyewu were to be brought in, it would be as a replacement for Gary Cahill. As we all know, there are a number of clubs interested in the English defender’s signature. I think he should be sold. His value is only dropping and the Bolton defense is plenty strong without him (except Paul Robinson. He can leave too. Please?) and that’s without mentioning the fact that we rely far too heavily on him. Gary Cahill mistakes lead directly to goals. Take a look at the Liverpool match where he gets back heel nutmegged by Fernando Torres or the Blackburn game where Mame Biram Diouf’s ball goes off Cahill and loops over Jaaskelainen who probably could have saved it.
With all that being said, the prospect of Oguchi Onyewu and Zat Knight as the centre backs can be a scary one. Both players have been known to fall asleep at times, lose their man, and thus cost their team a game. Word is that our manager has already quizzed Stuart Holden about the defender and he likes what he's heard. This could very easily become the new Oguchi Onyewu / Titus Bramble tandem.
I’m not sure how much Onyewu is worth, to be perfectly honest. I’m also not sure if I’d rather have him or Curtis Davies (assuming that both would sign for BWFC). Bolton aren’t the only team that fancy the American. Rumors have been floating around that the list includes Celtic, Rangers, FC Basel, and Everton among other potential suitors.