Can Michael Owen make Euro 2012?

Imagine, England are in the Semi-Finals against Germany in Poland/Ukraine this summer, the game’s tied at 1-1 in the 90^th minute and Jack Wilshere has put a ball through the heart of the defence, setting up a one on one opportunity. The question I want you to ask yourself, who would you want to be on the end of that pass? Most of you no doubt will say, ‘Wayne Rooney’; but focusing on the likes of Jermain Defoe, Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Andy Carrol etc, the ‘second string strikers’ you may say, would you be confident of a goal? Granted Michael Owen’s club career has been on a decline ever since he left Liverpool in 2004, but his International career has consistently impressed, as his goal to game ratio comes agonisingly close to one goal every other game, with 40 goals in 89 games. A debate has surfaced, with pundits and ex-footballers alike calling for Capello to consider Owen ahead of Euro 2012. If Owen was to get a move away from Old Trafford, and in turn, a consistent run of games, then there is no reason for Capello to ignore him, if he impresses that is. Owen’s experience, competing in five major International tournaments, would be priceless alongside a whole list of strikers with a handful of caps between them. The striker of a generation would surely relish the chance to appear on such a big stage one last time, whether or not he will be in consideration, only time will tell.

Since bursting onto the scene at the 1998 World Cup as an 18year old, Michael Owen has received a total of 89 International caps, scoring 40 goals; putting him in fourth place in the all-time England goal scorers list. The 31 year old strikers last England goal was way back in 2007, receiving his last cap against France in 2008. Capello’s appointment four years ago, coinciding with a dip in form at a struggling Newcastle side, saw Owen drop out of the England squad for the first time for almost a decade. Since leaving Liverpool in 2004 for Spanish giants Real Madrid, Owen’s career has been hit by injuries and inconsistent form. The days of being the prodigal son at Anfield were long gone, as Owen took his place on the star studded bench in Madrid, another Galactico struggling to break into the starting eleven at the Bernabeau. Despite criticism from the Madrid fans, Owen managed to score 18 goals in his debut season with the La Liga giants, from 41 games, 15 of which Owen started. Mainly used as an impact player in his time overseas, rumours began to circulate that Owen could make a move back to the Premier League. With interest mounting, Newcastle secured the strikers services with a club record £16.8million bid. 

Some would describe Owen’s move up North as the beginning of the decline, as injuries hampered the strikers progress, he still managed do to what he does best, score goals. Despite only making his debut for the Magpies in September due to injury, Owen managed to score his first Newcastle goal on his second appearance at Ewood Park, securing Newcastle’s first win of the season. Determined to consolidate his place as England’s number one striker ahead of the 2006 World Cup, Owen  went on to score a hat-trick against West Ham in December, as he looked to impress then England boss, Sven Goran Eriksson. Owen’s season took an unfortunate twist just before the New Year as injury struck again. The infamous metatarsal reared its ugly head, ruling Owen out until March. With their star striker ruled out, Newcastle suffered a dip in form, relying heavily on Alan Shearer as their solitary goal-scorer. Despite announcing himself fit for the last few games of the season, an appearance against Birmingham City in April saw Owen rule himself out of any further action as he admitted himself he wasn’t 100% fit. Despite missing the majority of the season, and only playing 11 games, Owen managed to score 7 goals, a good return for a player who missed so many games. Selected in the England squad by Sven for the World Cup, Owen started the opening two games against Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago, although failing to get on the score-sheet. Out of form and unfit, Owens bad luck stuck again, as the first minute against Sweden saw the striker damage his anterior cruciate knee ligament, a serious injury that would keep him out for a year. Signalling the end to his World Cup, not many would have thought that Owen would receive just eight more caps to date, since 2006. The striker’s injury woes kept him out of the 2006/07 season, as Newcastle finished 13^th. The following season saw Owen return to St James’ Park hungry to make up for lost time. Owen managed to play in over 30 league games, scoring 11 goals in the process, making him Newcastle’s top goal-scorer. The season ended with Kevin Keegan in charge, replacing Sam Allardyce, as Newcastle finished 12^th.

Owen’s International career seemed to be going in the opposite direction; always considered the nation’s favourite striker, one of England’s most popular players, Owen was finding it tough to establish himself in Steve McClaren’s squad. As McClaren introduced a new era to English football, well tried too, he announced a new emphasis on youth, putting pressure on the likes of Owen and Beckham, our golden generation were seemingly being exiled. Owen received seven caps whilst McClaren was in charge, scoring 4 goals, a good return once more.

The following season proved difficult for Owen, despite managing over thirty appearances again, Owen missed out on several England squads under new coach Capello, and saw his Newcastle side relegated from the Premier League. Although the striker had put in good performances in what was a struggling Newcastle side, Capello ignored calls for his inclusion, sticking to his trusted 4-5-1 formation.  Relegated under Alan Shearer’s management, Owen managed to score 8 goals throughout the season, as injury hit the striker again, ruling him out for weeks at a time. After rejecting a new contract in January, Owen expressed his desire to leave the club come the end of the season, on a free transfer.

Despite a consistently impressive goal to game ratio, interest in the England striker was limited. That until a surprise move to Premier League Champions Manchester United materialised. The move to Old Trafford, for some, signalled the end of Michael Owens England career, as he was expected to play second fiddle to first choice strikers Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov. In his first season in Manchester, Owen found opportunities hard to come by as the excellent form of both Rooney and Berbatov restricted the former Liverpool striker to eleven starts. Despite only making eleven starts, twenty appearances in total Owen managed to score 9 goals, almost a goal every other game. An Impressive return for a striker who’s been so unlucky with injuries in the past. Owen was left out of all Capello’s squads for the friendlies leading up to the World Cup in South Africa, although injury in the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa ruled him out of the tournament regardless.

The following season, Owen was again expected to play back up to United’s first choice forward line, which now included Mexican Javier Hernandez. Despite never giving up on his international career, Owen’s main focus was to get back to playing regular football, his England dream practically, well a dream, something he wasn’t focusing on entirely. Good form, equals goals, which in turn equals recognition, hoping to catch Capello’s eye, as well as Sir Alex’s, Owen managed to score 5 goals from seventeen appearances (starting four), proving himself as a reliable deputy when called upon.  His form at United was deemed worthy of a new contact by Ferguson, as Owen signed a one year extension. Despite not being prolific, Owen had established himself as an important squad member at Old Trafford, bringing experience to the dressing room and a calm influence out on the field. So far this season, from three starts for United, Owen has scored 3 goals, bringing his record since moving to Manchester to 17 goals in 40 games or 17 goals from eighteen starts, in all competitions. No-one can deny that this record is impressive, nearly a goal every other game, as it has been wherever Owen has played.

Despite being seemingly ignored by Capello, the recent debate to have surfaced, with some people calling for Owens reinstatement to the England squad does make interesting reading. The statistics do support Owens claim for a re-call, although at the age of 31 and not playing regularly, some may see it as a long shot. If however, Owen was to get a move in January, to another Premier League club, Sunderland or Everton for example, then Capello would really have to sit up and take notice. As fifth choice striker at Old Trafford now, behind Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck and Berbatov, Owen must get out now if he wants to make his England dream a reality. Having participated at five major tournaments, Owen offers experience, with 89 caps and 40 goals, he also offers consistency. With Rooney potentially missing the entire group stage, and no other internationally prolific strikers in the ranks, Capello could do worse than turn to the United striker. Even as an impact sub, his goal every other game ratio speaks for itself. The instinct of a striker rarely deserts them, and one of Michael Owens’s calibre surely hasn’t forgot how to score and I am sure he can find consistent form with a move away from Old Trafford. As a poacher and clinical finisher there aren’t many who rival Owen’s performances over the last decade; to the argument that he is past it I ask you to refer to the opening question… As I know I’d feel more confident with Michael Owen one on one with the goalkeeper than any other one of Rooney’s potential replacement.