Owen is a must for the World Cup
Posted by JamesB in Michael Owen, World Cup | 10 April 2006
A followup of David's article on why Owen shouldn't be present at the World Cup.
Despite his injury plagued season, for me it is an absoloute no brainer that Owen should be present at the World Cup, moreover in the first team from day one. The one thing I have noticed about Owen's injury is the amount of delay there has been since he picked it up. At first it was supposedly three months he would be out for, then its been put back another month or so, and now we will only be seeing him in the last two fixtures of United's season. To me this suggests that huge precaution is being taken with his injury. Everyone knows that the inspiration behind his move was to get first team football ahead of the World Cup. He has always been an England man, and the World Cup, especially in a year where England stand a great chance of winning, will mean a lot to him. I think his comeback from injury and preparation has all been with a view to playing in the World Cup, and his fitness won't be a problem at all. Quotes from the man himself have suggested that the World Cup will be a cert for him, and that is what he has had in mind ever since he picked up the injury.
If this is the case and precaution has been taken with his injury, then there is no reason for him not to be back to his best as soon as he returns to the football pitch. Long spells on the sidelines for Madrid didn't stop him from scoring when he played. He's not a player who is going to lose his goalscoring instict at all, and if indeed he is indeed fully fit before the World Cup, which I fully expect him to be, then he will get goals for England no doubt about it.
Not only are there reasons championing Owen's cause, the other options aren't nearly as inspiring as the hitman. Rooney is the complete player who does so much more than score goals, so his ideal partner would be a goal poacher, ala Nistelrooy at Man Utd. Crouch is a player who offers something different, but he will never be the goal poacher than Owen is. Defoe is seen as a goal getter, but he has not been able to get in the Spurs team this year, which doesn't suggest that he will be ready for the first team of England this summer. Bent is a player who has of course had a good season, but he is young and lacks international experience. Its a different ball game playing against the defences of the World Cup as opposed to those of the Premier League.
Its a no brainer; Owen should, and will be, in Englands team come the first game they play. He will be well prepared for it, as that is what his comeback from injury has been based upon. He is positive about it so there is no reason for the fans not to be. Its been a slow comeback, suggesting that all measures have been taken to make sure he is completely ready for the summer. He's Englands best goal getter, and there is no way (unless something happens between now and then) that he won't be included.
Comments
Owen should be in the English squad. He is perhaps the most talented ENglish striker of his generation. His goal scroing instict is great and he is not a selfish player.
