Michael Owen hasn’t scored a goal since January 10 this year. Since the end of that match – a 2-2 draw with West Ham – he has been on the field for just 297 minutes. It’s clearly not enough for Fabio Capello.
The Italian said – characteristically, in no uncertain terms – that the Newcastle striker is not in consideration for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with Ukraine. He pointed in particular to the fact that Owen played just 20 minutes in his last game for his club….’not enough’ apparently.
Capello’s other overriding reservation about Owen is that he ‘doesn’t offer enough’, that he merely scores goals, that his movement is not sufficient to warrant a place in his squad, let alone his side.
Two very reasonable reasons for not picking Owen and, let us be in no doubt, who are we to question Capello?
But let’s look at his alternatives. Wayne Rooney's name is surely etched into every team sheet from now until 2020 but who else is there? Carlton Cole and Emile Heskey have been ruled out, Peter Crouch failed to train all last week and limped off on Saturday, Darren Bent is, well, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor is far from fit and Kevin Davies is as close to being England quality as Michael Ricketts.
That's six contenders aside from Rooney. They have a grand total of 92 international caps and 20 goals between them. Can you guess where this is going yet?
Owen has played three less games but scored exactly twice as many goals.
It would take a brave man to argue that he should start against Ukraine on Wednesday even though, at this rate, the tea lady has got a shout of playing in tandem with Rooney. But does Capello really believe he is not worth having as an option from the bench?
He might not be what we all know as ‘match fit’ and he might not frighten defenders with outright pace anymore but there is still nobody better.
Owen would be the first to admit that he has now turned into a player who needs service, he needs those around him to spot his runs and to locate him in the space that he always finds with such consummate ease. So imagine this scene….
England are 1-0 down on Wednesday night with 20 minutes remaining. David Beckham – whose contribution once again shone through on Saturday – has come on for his inevitable, and invaluable, cameo. Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney are all still on the field and England are dominant but frustrated. They don’t need a big man to hold the ball up, nor do they require any electric pace. All they need is a goal….
It's nothing against Bent - Spurs' top scorer this season - but there really is only one man for such a job.