Capello warning for Owen – If you don’t play I can’t pick you
England manager Fabio Capello has warned Michael Owen that he cannot name him in his World Cup squad if he isn’t playing enough football at club level.
The Manchester United striker has struggled to force his way into Sir Alex Ferguson‘s starting line up this season, partly because of the form of team mate Wayne Rooney, and partly because the united boss has often opted to play a 4-5-1 formation with no room for a second striker.
“He is one of the best English goalscorers of all-time but if he doesn’t play, I cannot pick him,” the England manager told The Telegraph.
Only a few days ago I wrote 5 reasons why Michael Owen was a poor signing. Rightly or wrongly, his inability to break into the first team on a consistent basis has made it impossible for Capello to select him. And with Rooney showing no signs of ending his scoring spree, it looks as though Owen may be watching the World Cup from his settee.
February 24th, 2010
Feel somewhat sorry for Owen, as I think he could play a part in the World Cup, but with all the injuries this year, Fergie had to play the team he could count on the most. Would have also helped had we not been bounced from the FA cup so early as well.
February 24th, 2010
I’ve never really thought he was good enough for us anymore, but to be fair to him he’s scored some important goals. Not least the winner against City early in the season and the hat trick against Wolfsburg that meant we won the CL group. He’s just unfortunate that we’ve developed a 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 this season.