Int Football - Capello: Owen still in my plans

Eurosport - Fri, 21 Nov 12:54:00 2008

England manager Fabio Capello has assured Michael Owen that the door has not been slammed shut on his international career.

2007 England Michael Owen - 0

Owen was left out of the squad that won 2-1 against Germany in Berlin on Wednesday, despite claiming he is fully fit - and after injuries ruled out first-choice strikers Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey.

However, Capello said that he snubbed Owen because he is not convinced of the 28-year-old goal-getter's fitness.

"The door is open for every player," said Capello.

"At this moment I am selecting the players who are in the best physical condition. To play at international level you have to be 100 per cent. It is impossible to play at 60 per cent.

"Owen did not come because in the last two games he played 20 minutes and 50 minutes. If he was okay, he would play all the game - but he is not okay for the manager of Newcastle."

Owen became only the fourth England player to score 40 goals for his country 14 months ago when he scored twice in a win over Russia that seemed destined to send the Three Lions to Euro 2008.

Steve McClaren's side could not complete the job and with Owen struck down by a series of muscular problems, plus a dose of mumps, the Newcastle striker's only chance to impress coach Capello came in a 45-minute cameo against France in March, the only game England have lost since the Italian got the job.

Capello has stated that he does not want a 'mere' goalscorer in his squad, and feels strikers should contribute much more to the team.

If fully fit and firing, it will be instructive to see whether Owen figures in the squad Capello names for the friendly with Spain in February.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. so what do the strikers he played against germany do­ different to what owen can?
    they play off the center­ backs looking to exploit there pace. what extra did­ they add to the game... neither held the ball up or­ dropped deeper. they played as out and out strikers­ only looking to get goals. at least owen can drop­ deeper something defoe struggles to do.

    From terry, on Fri 21 Nov 7:07PM

  2. Of course Owen is a fantastic striker, but Capello is­ right to question his fitness. As a Newcastle fan,­ it's frustrating to see him get sidelined so­ regularly through injury, particularly when you­ consider his potential. Let him get a decent run of­ form, prove himself and then maybe pick him. I trust­ Capello to get the best out of any English player and­ make the right team selections.

    From Charlie G, on Fri 21 Nov 12:46PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Ww Geordies dont give a @#$% about­ "England","Capello",and indeed Owen­ himself,every time he plays for "The Three­ Drummers",he gets some "mystery injury",­ which costs us him from anything between 9weeks and a­ season,of course the "Cockney Loving press"­ say its "just one of those things", however­ have you noticed how they go on and on­ about"Walcott","Terry"or­ "Cole", when they pick up an injury for­ "The Drummers", then the whole nation has to­ have a debate on the "Rights of playing­ friendlys"! Last time he was left out of the­ "Drummers squad", he had a "Little­ protest" and refused to play for us for 3 weeks as­ he had "Tweaked something" yet again!, Christ­ man has noboby taught you how to streatch correctly­ after 10 years, you little cheat! No most "Real­ Geordies" remember real "Men of Steel"­ who played for us ,Davie Mac,Steve Carney,John­ Anderson, Kenny Wharton and Glen Keeley to name but a­ few!,these "Heroes" would even not think­ twice about "Sun bathing in the Helman­ Provence" or "Taking tea in Baghdad"!,­ leagends,gods,messiahs all rolled into one!, Shame on­ you Owen you "Puff"and shame on you­ "England" for spoiling our club!

    From Charles, on Fri 21 Nov 12:32PM

  4. owen is still by far the best goal scorer compared to­ the rest of the english strikers. He may have lost half­ a yard of pace, but he's still very quick and has­ grown and matured as a footballer - his passing a­ movement has improved no end over the last 3 years.­ Capello has to pick him

    From graemeclarkfreelance, on Fri 21 Nov 12:06PM

  5. Owen left Liverpool for the money, and they went on to­ win the Champions League, and Owens career went down­ the pan. Liverpool are better without him. Modern game­ needs more from every player. Capello is right, and our­ best chance of success for years. I trust him.

    From tonydavies74, on Fri 21 Nov 11:46AM

  6. I THINK Michael Owen will get better with ageand should­ be picked for the next match if he is fully fit

    From valeriewilliams1, on Fri 21 Nov 11:40AM

  7. When you reflect on the job that Theo Walcott has been­ doing for England and the fact he is out for­ signifacant period, Cappello could do worse than to try­ Owen on the right wing. I'm not saying this will­ work, but it could be a way of getting a quality player­ in the squad

    From Mike, on Fri 21 Nov 11:33AM

  8. I have a season ticket and watch Owen play weekly,­ which gives you the oportunity to watch his movememnt­ and application off the ball too. Not sure he's­ gonna stay at Newcastle in January which id gutting.­ But the guy is a legend on the footie pitch. He's­ on a different tomostpremiership players. He's a­ little slower but his all round passing,­ defending,communication and vision is better than­ ever, trust me. Enlgand need him. I'd make him­ Captain.

    From Clint.Magnum, on Fri 21 Nov 10:32AM

  9. I dnt see owen really having enuf involvment in build­ up play to justify a place in the starting line up and­ we dnt really need a poacher anyway.The new england­ seem capable of goals from all areas now players are­ bringing club form through.If this new start dont last­ then maybe the door will really open for him again

    From doctorgreeneye, on Fri 21 Nov 10:26AM

  10. Neil B, I agree. I think and hope he would leave­ Newcastle in January..

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 21 Nov 10:24AM

  11. Since he left Liverpool he has become a mediocre­ player. He need to be within a fast flowing moving top­ team to get he game up to scratch and until then I­ doubt capello will pick him unless five strikers have­ broken legs

    From not printable, on Fri 21 Nov 10:11AM

  12. Owen is world class and everybody knowns it.Yes over­ the last three years he has had many injuries but he is­ proven at international level.He just needs to get back­ his full fitness and not get injured again.

    Roland

    From Roland, on Fri 21 Nov 9:15AM

  13. his chance will come!

    From Neil B, on Fri 21 Nov 8:57AM
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