MICHAEL OWEN MUST KEEP GOING
That's only way he'll impress Capello enough to get back in England squad
AT the start of the season, I sat down with Michael Owen in a lounge on a platform at Newcastle train station.
The interview went well. Michael was in a chipper mood. There was a determination to overcome his injury woes, do the business for Newcastle and convince Fabio Capello he was worthy of an England recall.
A particular ambition was to break Bobby Charlton's 49-goal record on the way to glory at the 2010 World Cup. Sadly, some control freak looking after Michael's 'commercial interests' wanted to airbrush bits of the piece.
Quite rightly, we told them and the sponsors who had been involved in setting up the meet where to stick their interference. The interview was spiked.
A pity. Had it been printed, Capello might have realised how desperate Owen was to get back into the England frame.
He didn't impress Capello when he was in the squad a year ago and injury problems mean he has been unable to make a case for reinstatement. Despite suggestions to the contrary, I don't believe Capello has ditched him for good. I certainly hope not.
Assuming England qualify for next summer's finals, then a fully fit and firing Owen must surely demand a place in a World Cup squad, if not as regular starter then as an impact sub.
Until his nightmare at Newcastle, he's been prolific over his career, as 40 goals in 89 England matches confirm. But Owen can no longer rely on reputation - as David Beckham has eventually accepted.
This summer he's got to re-invent himself. He's has to recognise his future lies at Manchester City, Spurs, Aston Villa or Everton and not a top four club.
He's got to stop being in denial. He must understand he's not quite the player he was and adjust his game to compensate for the loss of that explosive pace. He's got to stop kidding himself he is not injury prone and spend the summer getting properly fit.
I doubt it impresses Capello that he commutes to training by helicopter and is already building another career as a racehorse trainer.
What will convince Capello is the sight of Owen playing week in week out, making an unselfish contribution to the team and scoring goals at his old ratio of nearly one in two.
That's what will win Owen his international place back and, as a consequence, maybe give England that extra edge to win the World Cup.
This article has 5 comments
give michael a chance i bet capello if you give him a chance in a big club he will score more goals than rooney and messi put together
By ahmad. Posted May 15 2009 at 5:29 PM.
he should so be there ... I think Capello is hell bent on not taking him and i dont know why ... he wont even take him in the squad..thts foolish.. even thou england is doing good currently..its the big stage and big teams when it will start to matter... I just hope Capello understands tht.. Owen is a GREAT...and he still has it in him.he is under tremendous relentless pressure to prove him.. save the drowning club...fight with the injuries and get to full fitness... phew !! the man is a fighter...GO ON OWEN!
By taniya. Posted April 8 2009 at 9:34 AM.
You say Owen must adjust his game to compensate for the loss of that explosive pace, but he has not been as fast as he was since he was about 22 but he has still been scoring goals. Also up untill his most recent injury did he not play in around 16-18 consecutive games, the majority being full 90 minutes, scoring goals too. This season he has played in 21 league matches, Gerrards played in 26, Rooneys played in 21 and Beckham in the italian league only 10. So really he has played more football this year than Capello and most of the media make out.
By Dave. Posted March 30 2009 at 4:17 AM.
Michael must play! He always give best for England! Heskey and Crouch don't deserve to play for England, Mike should be picked as first striker! Capello be smart and bring him back to score goals! Love Michael!
By Anica. Posted March 29 2009 at 4:38 PM.
Michael Owen should be picked for England, as first choice striker. It makes sense to rotate between him, Rooney, Heskey and Crouch if they are to do anything at the World Cup. Play your strikers together as much as possible in order to get them to gel. Owen will guarentee you goals. He has scored where ever he has played. All he needs is Capello to show some faith in him. Why is it, that Capello always overlooks him? It's always a case of "he's not match fit?" If Capello wants to lead us to glory, he needs to wake up and see that the only way you going to win a World Cup, is to SCORE goals, and Michael Owen and Rooney together will give you that.
By Mark. Posted March 29 2009 at 6:43 AM.