Owen option

Michael Owen should be a part of England's 2010 World Cup squad, argues Peter Fraser

Last updated: 7th December 2009  

Owen option
The Insider's World Cup strikers:

Jermain Defoe

Emile Heskey

Michael Owen

Wayne Rooney

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At the 1996 European Championship, England participated in the major international tournament with the attacking options of Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler in Terry Venables' squad.

How times have changed. If Fabio Capello has had a look through the history books, he must wish he had such an abundance of striking talent from which to select. A problem for the Italian is that, as Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil in Doha demonstrated, he definitely does not.

The game has obviously changed in 13 years, but in different ways Shearer, Sheringham, Ferdinand and Fowler, if in their pomp today, would still have either the power, guile or overall ability to be stars in modern football. Any member of the quartet would walk into the current England squad.

Capello's current strikers are weak, worryingly inadequate in an international competition season. Apart from the superb talents of Wayne Rooney, it is debatable whether Brazil boss Dunga, Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, or any of the planet's top nations who will be competing for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa look at the Three Lions and say to themselves, 'I wish we could pick that Darren Bent'.

Sunderland striker Bent has received criticism for his performance at the weekend. He produced plenty of effort, however, at times it was easy to forget he was on the pitch for his 55 minutes. The counter argument is that he was the spearhead of a makeshift side, minus nine probable starters, and did not receive the necessary service from an offensively ineffective central midfield partnership of Gareth Barry and Jermaine Jenas.

Bent, though, cannot expect to always be brilliantly fed at international level. He is up against a superior level of opposition to that which he has impressed against in the Premier League and when a team is not built around him, he struggles. His chances of earning a place in the 23-man finals squad must be fading, if not already gone after the weekend.

The greats in modern football, the likes of Fernando Torres and David Villa, make things happen from nothing. That would be the anxiety if a goal-chase scenario materialised in the knockout stages next summer, apart from Rooney, England do not have a player of that calibre. Capello's issue is who else does he turn to? Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey and Carlton Cole, with the last two missing the Brazil game due to injury. What's that you say Spain? Ooooh we're scared? Didn't think so.

Don't get me wrong. Bent, Cole, Crouch, Defoe and Heskey are skilful players - the latter, when fit, being Capello's preferred partner for Rooney due to his physical attributes, despite breaking a golden rule of not playing regularly for Aston Villa - but they are never going to have the best teams on the globe quaking in their boots, especially when it comes to squeaky bum time at a knockout tournament.

Shearer, although struggling internationally, Fowler and Ferdinand went into Euro 96 as the Premier League's top three scorers, while Sheringham was in sixth position. At the current stage of this season, Bent and Rooney are in the top four behind Torres and Drogba, but Cole is eighth and Defoe is ninth. Peter Crouch is 92nd in the 2009/10 Premier League's scoring charts by alphabetical order, while Heskey has not netted for club or country this campaign. There are Gabriel Agbonlahor - seventh spot - and Theo Walcott to add to the forward selections, but again it is debatable whether any of the above will follow Shearer, Sheringham, Fowler and Ferdinand into the English top-flight's cherished records.

Rooney definitely will. The Manchester United man, captaining England for the first time, looked dangerous against Brazil and was causing problems when dropping deep, running at opposing defenders or threading forward passes. The frustration for the new father of one is that he did not have anyone to give the ball to and his natural determination to take things into his own hands, energetically playing a variety of roles, eventually proved counter-productive in Qatar's arduous heat.

In the past decade England's squad at major tournaments contained the odd attacking player who did a job but would not have been there if there were other options, Darius Vassell for example. The conundrum for Capello is that, at present, he is going to have to pick Rooney plus three hangers-on.

Now, unless you have been living under a rock for the past few months, you will have been sat at your work desk reading this article repeatedly shouting one name at the top of your voice, suggesting to your colleagues that you are having some sort of allergic-reaction-induced shock to that ill-advised purchase of a lunchtime sausage roll. 'Michael Owen, Michael Owen, MICHAEL OWEN!!!'.

The fact that Capello continually refuses to select the now Manchester United striker baffles me almost as much as the fact that Ian Bell has two Ashes-winning medals and I have not one. Fair enough there are issues over fitness and his ability to earn a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's starting XI, but if you need a goal in a big game there is nobody better and the weekend defeat to Brazil, courtesy of the excellent Nilmar's goal early in the second half, was crying out for the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Newcastle player.

Imagine the different reaction among Brazilian defenders, especially captain Lucio who was at fault when Owen scored in the 2002 quarter-final defeat to the eventual tournament winners, if the one-time European Footballer of the Year came off the bench with eight minutes remaining instead of Crouch.

It is highly unlikely that as the clock ran down Owen would have been found clumsily dribbling along the touchline in his own half before running the ball out of play, a la Crouch. The former would have been on the shoulder of the last defender, lurking for any scraps.

Capello has a point. Owen should not be in the starting line-up. Injuries mean he no longer has flick-switch pace, but he has changed his game, added bulk to his upper body and is now a goal poacher who generally only needs one chance, as proved in the dramatically late derby victory over Manchester City. The 29-year-old looks to be in better physical shape since leaving Newcastle, where there were questions over the club's fitness training as indicated by Shearer's decision to overhaul procedures during his short managerial tenure, and unlike the majority of England's strikers he is playing UEFA Champions League football. Let us also not forget 40 goals in 89 England appearances.

Capello, though, has created a conundrum by refusing to play Owen since the 1-0 loss to France in Paris in March 2008. Attention to the subject adds unnecessary pressure when it should not exist. Any decision from the Italian to select the United man would now be viewed as a massive U-turn, a character trait which does not appear to be in his make-up, and would possibly be a headache he does not want to create.

However, England need Owen. Otherwise, watch out Spain, Brazil, Holland, Italy and Germany - here come Crouch, Cole and Bent.

I would say that Cole and Bent should not, and will not, travel to South Africa. Heskey appears a shoo-in, with Capello correctly balancing the unsung job he does for the team against a lack of goals and games. England therefore have a target man and in my opinion that would mean there is no need for Crouch, who cannot always get in Tottenham's side and his solid international record - 18 goals in 35 caps - only comes into play against the world's lesser teams. That would make room for Owen alongside Defoe, Heskey and Rooney.

Comments (29)

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Dale Waring (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Owen in my opinion is a must pick he has that class in his game which some of our other strikers dont have he has proven international goalscoring record and england hold him in almost the same breath as david beckham he is that popular with the english public he can do something from nothing and his finishing is first rate capello just give him a chance i would pick him even if he hadnt played a game all year and just sat on the bench im not saying start him but he needs a chance against a lesser team to get abck in goalscoring form for us

Posted 13:52 19th November 2009

I Ugradar says...

To be honest I agree 100% with Peter Fraser, the fact that Owen tends to get atleast two more than half chances everytime he comes on says it all. Fair enough he might not have that predatory instinct of finishing as he used to have seen as he misses a lot of these chances when he gets them, but he gets in those positions which says a lot. If Owen wants to get into the team or have half a chance then he needs to start taking the chances he gets everytime he comes on, simply because everytime he scores he creates headlines, more headlines mean more headache for Capello, eventually he'll have to admit go back on his stubborn self and select Owen which can only be good for us!!! Imagine losing 1-0 to say Portugal world cup quarter final 20mins remaining, who else other than Owen would you want to come???? As far as i'm concerned the answer to that is very very easy....

Posted 11:46 19th November 2009

Michael Harrison says...

Michael Owen is the ONLY striker worth taking, no I'm not a Manu or Liverpool or Newcastle supporter - he just has the record and nouse to WIN GAMES - something we are absolutely rubbish at, i'm sure you'll have noticed. There is some sort of bizarre anti-Owen thing going on when he is the only real class this country has had since Shearer / Sheringham. Rooney is good, Owen is the real thing.

Posted 22:28 18th November 2009

Colin Whittington says...

Lots of good comment and opinion, and I agree that players like crouch and bent are probably not going to set the world footballing stage on fire and would at best be also rans. As the leadin says the Brazil or Spain coaches are not going to be saying "I wish we could pick that Darren Bent". However, we are months away from serious international competition and lots can happen including loosing key players to injury at the last minute - alal Rooney in the past. There is no doubt that England is not blessed with great striking talent at this time and we can blame the system of bringing in players from overseas - Drogba - Torres - etc - but good home grown players can still emerge and become greats. But, all the players discussed, and perhaps some yet to make their mark, have plenty of time to impress. During a long season players like Owen will get their 90 minutes and either he can do it or not. As a Man U fan I hope he does and at least he is playing at a club where he will face top class competition - champions league as well as premiership football. He has also been there and done that, and therefore he knows what to expect. So if he prooves he can do it I'm sure Capello will include him. Others, if they bang in plenty of goals will certainly get the attention of Capello. At least we NOW have a manager who is selecting players on perfromance and not out of some loyalty to what they have done in the past. Here's to a striking star emerging before the season ends who ever he plays for.

Posted 03:04 18th November 2009

Patrick Herrity (Newcastle United fan) says...

Its very simple, England do not need Michael Owen and on current form over the last two to three years he does not deserve an England place, the fact of the matter is that there are too many younger and better strikers available to England, my 4 strikers would be: Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch and Theo Walcott Darren Bent is not required, defoe is a finisher, crouch is the aerial threat and rooney is an all round player, on form walcott can do the business, the game is all about pace now next in line for me would be a player with pace either aghbonlahor or young of villa Michael Owen needs to retire from International football he has been a great player in the past for England but I dont think he is up their with the others now and with his injury record he would be a risk in the World Cup, even Gerrard or Joe Cole would be better up front than Owen on current form, sad but true

Posted 17:45 17th November 2009

Phil R (Portsmouth fan) says...

Owen knew when Man Utd came along he was gonna be a bit part player rather the the first name of a lower league team sheet and with that less of a chance of him getting a place in Fabios 23 man squad side. And unlike a certian Peter Frasier, Cappello goes on club form rather then how well known the players are. Rooney's a dead cert to go and in terms of confidence sorry Owen but Defoes the best we got atm. That leaves 2 spaces up front and tbh K.Davies and Agbonlahor are playing regularly and offer something different to Rooney and Defoe. Crouch may offer something different as well but he showed its all about the money for him. At Pompey he was the first name on the sheet and scoring reguarly and because of that he played for England a lot during his Pompey career but threw that away cause he was just greedy. Heskey isnt playing so unless he moves from Aston Villa he shouldnt go. Carlton Cole had his chance and didnt take it, Darren Bent isnt fancied by Capello (his ignored goalscoring at Spurs is proof of that) and Micheal Owen....he lost his chance to be one of the 23 players when he decided to be a bit player at Man Utd rather then play every week at a midtable club. If Owen doesnt think he can play 90 mins every week why should Capello?

Posted 22:03 16th November 2009

Tyler Clarke (Arsenal fan) says...

Who cares whether Owen's playing regularly? He has a proven record at international level, a professional, dedicated and determined approach to the game and is proving at Man Utd that he doesn't have to be heavily involved in every game to be effective. The fact that Capello won't even call him up for a friendly game against Brazil -Which would have been a perfect chance to see whether or not he can cope with the big teams we'll be facing at the world cup- shows that Owen couldn't be further from his mind. You're absolutely right Peter Fraser, Bent and Cole are absolutely not good enough, Crouch -in my opinion- is a last resort if you're completely desperate for a goal against a rubbish team and Heskey works his backside off and deserves a place in the squad (despite not getting much playing time at Villa), but doesn't score enough goals. Owen is a fantastic option but he doesn't -and probably won't- get a chance to prove himself.

Posted 21:50 16th November 2009

David Mccarthy (Cardiff City fan) says...

Owen will not make a chance out of nothing. Simple as that. Some will argue that he did it against Barnsley but that's the same argument going for Crouch. He'll score against the lesser nations, but not really against the big boys. To suggest Owen would have drastically changed the game against Brazil is ludicrous. Everyone knows first and foremost you need your midfield to be clicking for your forwards to get ample chances during a match. England will not win the World Cup in my opinion, as a Wales fan, and I wouldn't begrudge England winning the competition. I just think there's a lack of a someone up front who can dribble with the ball at pace and finish OR a big man that has good control and can finish. Owen can finish sometimes, although he's missed so many sitters over the last 12 months it's unbelievable. That's why he's not getting a look in.

Posted 20:21 16th November 2009

Liam W (Manchester United fan) says...

Tbh i can't believe what i am hearing from some people that owen is not "fit enough or good enough" to go to the world cup, truth be told he is not the lightning quick forward he was back in the older days when he worried the defences of argentina and brazil but he has so much to offer a nation which is blessed with centre backs, center mid's but certainly not centre forwards!!!...rooney is a def as he is england's best player in my opinion behind steven gerrard but he must play behind a player and in the crunch games why not play him behind owen?? two players playing at the same club can only be a good thing for the form of them! Gabby Agbonlahor i think must be taken aswell purely for the theo walcott style pace and finishing he offers england, which leaves 2 more spaces....my choices 1) Rooney! 2) Owen! 3) Gabby! 4) Defoe! and if capello is so worried about the physical side of the game then take cole jus for that nothing else! Crouch, Heskey sorry not for me!

Posted 19:21 16th November 2009

Naveen Menon (Manchester United fan) says...

im sure capello is thinking about owen and there are a lot of factors which would decide if owen will be on that plane to south africa.First of all,there is no doubt about his ability,he is still a class player,someone any opposing side would be wary of unlike the likes of bent,cole and heskey.Given a run in the team im sure he will end up scoring more goals than the other three.I think it will come down to the number of goals owen scores for UTD at the end of the season.if he scores 15 or more this season i think owen will be on that plane.my choice of strikers would be rooney,defoe,owen,heskey/crouch.

Posted 19:15 16th November 2009

Ian Smith (Liverpool fan) says...

I don't think there should be such an emphasis on a target man. Spain beat Argentina comfortably a few days ago with a front line of Iniesta, Silva, and Villa. England should do the same--don't throw a tall bloke in there just to have a target man. This promotes hoofing, which may do fine for Bolton but it isn't going to help you against Spain or Brazil. I would start Rooney up front with Gerrard playing in the hole off him. Play a proper winger on each side (preferably one of them being Walcott) and have Garreth Barry and Lampard in midfield. Glen Johnson (probably the third most talented player on the team behind Rooney and Gerrard) bombing forward on the right. This is England's only hope of beating one of the powerhouses. Otherwise we lose either in open play or penos.

Posted 19:04 16th November 2009

Alan Callister (Manchester United fan) says...

what a great article! great read and im in complete agreement. owen just need a chance and the fact capello would need to make a U turn is fine he did it with beckham at madrid and now plays him for england. GO OWEN

Posted 17:38 16th November 2009

Matthew Sheldon (Arsenal fan) says...

I think that Owen certainly has a lot to prove to Capello before he can push for the squad. You say he's redeveloped his game as he doesn't have that pace anymore, well he certainly hasn't proved that his redeveloped game is good enough for England. Plus if someone was to get injured there's no way he could play every 3 days. He maybe playing in the Champions League, but he hasn't played many minutes, he scored a goal against CSKA but I think i would have scored that. You also talk about needing a goal in situations when were chasing the game. This is coming from a mad Arsenal fan and how you can rule out Crouch is beyond me. Your chasing a game and you've got Crouch's height for Beckhams delivery off crosses, set pieces when were chasing a game. He may not score everytime but noone else could win some of the headers he wins but him. He may win the knock down that earns a goal or his header gets saved and someone puts in the rebound. Beckham and Crouch from the bench is a great combination for changing games. I find some of your comments very hard to believe.

Posted 17:16 16th November 2009

Adam Waters (Aston Villa fan) says...

A great article. But although i do like Michael Owen he doesn't play enough games from the start and all they through for Manchester United. This is also the case for Emile Heskey. Yes he plays for my team but he is useless for Villa as well. Whereas, Gabby Agbonlahor has been on fire this season for Villa, he has ripped apart several defenders this season with his pace and his strength. Capello take note, he didn't do anything wrong when he played against Germany etc so why leave him out the squad?

Posted 17:15 16th November 2009

Chris Weir (Sunderland fan) says...

This man knows what he's talking about! Ive being saying the same thing all along. Rooney is at his best when hes just behind his striker parnter, collecting the ball, scoring & passing for others to score. Soo what he really needs, is someone up there to pass too! That isnt Heskey! Heskey & rooney are both similair players, both sit behind & look to collect the ball & create chances, differance being Rooney actually scores as well. & the best goal scorer England has is, Michael Owen! FACT! Give that boy, half a chance & 9 times out of 10 he scores! Being a Sunderland fan, im glad to see Bent given a chance but, throwing him in against Brazil, was there going to work, he hasnt as yet got the interational experience yet, needs more chances. Crouch is soo overrated, like the man says above, he's got a good record but they all against weak teams, ive being saying that for the last couple of years! So for me, the four that should go.... 1st choice, Owen! - Always scores! 2nd choice, Rooney or Heskey - Rooney because he scores! 3rd choice, Defoe - Unlike, Crouch, whos again is just like Rooney/Heskey, which is always a reason not to take him, Defore has plenty of pace as well as being able to score for Egnland. 4th choice, Bent - All round stiker & top English scorer, has to be included!

Posted 16:38 16th November 2009

Paul Wright (Leeds United fan) says...

I would say at this stage owen still needs a few more games and goals for united but if he gets that like i expect him to he MUST GO TO SOUTH AFRICA. Owen 1 on 1 with the keeper with 5 minutes to go when the pressure is on will get you a goal. Heskey will miss, bent and cole would have 50/50 chance maybe. I would rather take the 100% option thanks. As good as bent and the rest might play at club level - its not enough. I am a firm believer that there are just those special players that are born to handle the pressure of the big big games to the point where you would still put you're mortgage on em scoring when clean through every time - OWEN AND ROONEY FIT THIS CATEGORY - THE OTHER STRIKERS DO NOT - SO ITS A NO BRAINER FOR ME !!

Posted 16:37 16th November 2009

G Smith (Liverpool fan) says...

What a brilliant article! I couldn't agree more! I have been a huge Michael Owen fan ever since he started and I am so annoyed everytime the England team is announced that he is not even considered. The one player that I would have in my team any day, the one who scores goals is surely what England are in desperate need of! He is an amazing goalscorer, brilliant player and works so hard! Compared to the players of Bent, Crouch, Heskey & Defoe, Michael Owen is world class! A 50% Owen is so much better than a 100% of any other player! Owen & Rooney are needed if England are to even think about winning the World Cup!

Posted 15:30 16th November 2009

Rhys Bowen says...

Owen is not our saviour. Fair enough if he shows great form up until the end of the season he should be in, but as others have said he hasn't shown any sort of form meriting a place in the squad yet. And what is wrong with C.Cole, you say teams like Spain won't be scared of him ..... but look how he battered their entire back four when he came on against them in Seville earlier this year. And your point about the three England strikers being the prem's top scorers in 96 is pretty invalid. Look at how many more top class European strikers there are in the prem now. I doubt all three of them would be scoring more than Torres, Drogba, Ronaldo etc in this day and age ...... very poor write-up imo.

Posted 15:14 16th November 2009

Owen Spillane says...

What a one sided argument! Owen was a class player, but he's past his best. He may well have worried Lucio in 2002, but come on that was seven years ago!

Posted 15:13 16th November 2009

Jamie Brown (Celtic fan) says...

If I was on the oppossing team against England I would much rather see Bent, Crouch or Cole come off the bench than Owen. The guys a natural goal scorer and will be where you want him when it matters most, ie, in the box looking to score. The other guys are good players but Owen has something that none of these guys have or ever will have and thats a proven goal scoring record at international level against top opposition. Though I have to say that if you ever play my home nation (Scotland) you could probably get away with playing David James upfront.

Posted 14:49 16th November 2009
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