For the last year or so, Michael Owen has been a laughing stock. Teased for his continuous injury problems, pilloried for his percieved lack of committment to Newcastle while constantly talking about his England career, and mocked for the infamous brouchure his representatives sent to Premiership and foreign clubs.
Yet Owen had the last laugh when he surprised the world by moving to Manchester United in the summer. Of course, he has now thrown away his reputation at Liverpool as a club legend, although who can blame the guy when the alternative options were Stoke and Hull.
Owen has made a steady start to his career at Old Trafford, but instantly endeared himself to the United fans with his silly-time winner against local rivals Manchester City. Yet against Wolfsburg in the Champions League this week, Owen once again proved why he should be on the plane to South Africa in the summer. They were three finishes of the Owen of old, pure instinct and finesse. And it also highlighted that the lad from Chester is an example of a dying art in the game of football, the "natural goalscorer". Out of all the English strikers, only Owen and Jermain Defoe can claim to be natural goalscorers, although Wayne Rooney is now regaining the deadly finishing ability that burst him onto the scene in Euro 2004. And that is why Owen should be a shoe-in for South Africa. While players like Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor have been more prolific in the Premier League in the last few years, the fact is that they have not been able to make up the transition from Premiership to international level. Owen is proven at this level, and who else is a better option to come off the bench in extra time when England could be desperately searching for that late goal to stop us heading to another ghastly defeat in a penalty shoot-out. Owen has the predator instinct that could give England that extra edge.
It is hard to pick many faults with Don Capello. The Italian has been nothing less than a revelation since being appointed manager, and he has made England a difficult and dogged team to beat. However, he is missing a big trick by not including one of the last natural goalscorers left for England.
So, lets assume that I am an Italian who strikes fear into all those who look me in the eye. My 23 man squad for the World Cup would be:
Robert Green - Consistent, in his prime, eager to prove a point.
David James - Experienced. Like a fine wine has improved with age.
Joe Hart - The young whippersnapper is playing regular football, which gives him the edge over Ben Foster.
Glen Johnson - The only right-back there is. Excellent going forward.
Ashley Cole - One of the best left-backs in the world.
John Terry - Duuuuuuuuuuur. He's captain.
Rio Ferdinand - While he's been off form, he is still a definite to go.
Stephen Warnock - Consistent performances. Just beats Leighton Baines.
Gary Cahill - No nonsense. Also a big threat from set-pieces.
Matthew Upson - Clearly in Capello's plans. 3rd choice centre-back.
Aaron Lennon - Pace and poise. An absolute must-have.
David Beckham - Experience, leadership and still has fantastic delivery.
Steven Gerrard - No explanation needed.
Frank Lampard - No explanation needed.
Gareth Barry - Capello's first name on the team sheet.
Joe Cole - A bit of creativity never goes amiss.
Michael Carrick - Putting in the performances in the Premiership. Sensible on the ball.
James Milner - Has put in a couple of superb performances coming off the bench. Can play on either flank.
Wayne Rooney - No explanation needed.
Jermain Defoe - Fast, natural finisher
Michael Owen - Do I have to go over it again?
Peter Crouch - Fantastic linking play. Impressive scoring record for England.
Carlton Cole - The lynchpin of West Ham. A nightmare to play against.
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Saturday 12 December 2009
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