Owen Hype Starts Here

It was an inevitable train of thought followed by the English journalists the day after Michael Owen’s hat-trick gave United a Champions League win over Wolfsburg.

“Owen to the World Cup???” was the resulting tagline. With all the hype in the aftermath of an encouraging World Cup draw for England, many three lions fans are drooling in anticipation at what could be a successful campaign in South Africa next summer.

But when talking about England, the Michael Owen conundrum is never far away. So often a first choice, his fall from grace and injury woes while at Newcastle have seen him portrayed as a shadow of his former self.

With that in mind a free transfer to Manchester United in the close season was the perfect move for him. He won’t play all the time, yes, but given his fitness worries he can’t anyway. But when he is on the field he is playing at the highest level with some of the best players in the world. So if he does the business, it must put him in contention.

Seven goals in eight starts is a healthy manipulation of the stats (sub appearances dilute the scoring record somewhat). However, despite the odd minor niggle, Owen has not found himself under the surgeon’s knife this season, something that was all too familiar at St James’ Park.

I wonder if last Friday’s draw, with all the showbiz and hype, re-focused Owen on his task in hand: the Premier League with United and the World Cup with England.

If he continues the way he has so far this season (he is on course to score 18+ goals) I think there should be no question about his inclusion in Fabio Capello’s squad. Not perhaps as a starter, but with so much reliance on Wayne Rooney and not a lot else in the England striking department, an in-form Michael Owen is a pretty formidable trick to have up your sleeve when you need to change a game.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Owen will upset the World Cup 2010 odds and return to the national squad in time for next summer. I just feel that, if fit, he has too much talent to ignore. It would also be a dream come true for Owen himself, as that is all it was when he departed relegated Newcastle last May.

Related posts:

1. Owen injured. England gets into a tougher situation.
2. Capello and Owen: Chapter 1.
3. England is winning the injury race.
4. What up Manchester United?
5. Milner and Johnson to profit from Beckham’s injury