Michael Owen is a figure who divides opinions. Some view him as a player who was once a World Class player and a player who took the world by storm, but for others it’s a completely different story.
But almost everyone agrees in his younger days, Owen was world class. To put things into perspective, Michael Owen is the 6th most profile striker in the Premier League era, with 149 goals. He's scored more Premier League goals than, Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke, Ian Wright and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
But the real question which divides many is: did Michael Owen ever fulfil the potential that surrounded him during his teenage and early years in professional football.
Indeed, this is a rather inflammatory question which stirs a lot of debate. Especially as present Michael Owen, now 31, spends most of his time sat on the bench at Man United whilst lapping up the trophies.
But rather ironically, as a teenager, Michael Owen was a certain starter for his side and more importantly, Owen was a consistent goal scorer at the tender age of 18. It’s very easy to forget how much of a prodigy Michael Owen was when he was a teenager.
Owen’s scoring knack began at just 17 years of age. He even scored on his Premier League debut in 1997 away at Wimbledon.
But that goal was a plain glimpse of what was to come from Michael Owen.
The following season, Michael Owen’s first full season in professional football, the then 18 year old scored a total of 18 Premier League goals. A demonstration of his achievement is truly represented by the fact the teenager finished joint top goal scorer alongside Dion Dublin.
Michael Owen took the Premier League by storm. He was untouchable. His electrifying pace, movement and clinical finishing made him an incredibly potent and threatening striker– even for the most experienced of defenders.
The fact Owen, a mere 18 year old, a player had no previous Premier League experience could take England’s elite league by storm summoned many to believe Michael Owen would become a global superstar. A player would end his career in the same bracket as many English legends such as Gary Linekar, Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.
But the expectations of his potential grew to a sky high level by the 1998 World Cup in France. His magnificent individual goal against Argentina proved not only could he compete with the best in England, he could also compete with the best players in the world.
After this glorifying World Cup for Michael Owen was destined for more than just a global superstar, he was perceived as a player who would go onto be an all time great footballer: a player in the ranks of Pele, Ronaldo and Maradona.
To be fair to Owen, with the global attention which was following and expecting from him,he initially didn’t fail to deliver. His progression continued in a substantial fashion after the 1998 World Cup.
In the 2001/02 season Michael Owen reached his best goal tally for a season. He scored 28 goals in 43 games. Upon reflecting, one could argue the 2001/02 season was Michael Owen’s pinnacle season. Owen was single handily winning games for his club and this was internationally recognised.
The 2001 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Arsenal is the perfect example of Owen single handily changing the game for his team’s favour.In the final, Liverpool for most of the match were second best and looked odds on to lose the final. But a five minute spell of brilliance from Michael Owen transformed the game for Liverpool. Owen’s potent finishing and blistering pace caught a dominate Arsenal side completely off guard.
Michael Owen was the star. He was England’s finest striker. No English striker was anywhere near Owen’s abilities. The year 2001 ended with Michael Owen being crowned with FIFA’s Ballon d’Or - a vivid symbol of Michael Owen’s abilities and how they were leaving the footballing world in absolute awe.
However, Michael Owen for all of his talents was not enough for Liverpool to consistently challenge for the title. Continuously, Owen would lead by example scoring in the bucket loads, single handily carrying Liverpool from one game to the next. But his team mates were often no where near to his level of performing.
Inevitably, the writing was on the wall. In order for Michael Owen to reach the pinnacle of European football, he would have to win trophies. And that meant leaving his beloved Liverpool.
In 2004, this happened. Michael Owen transferred to Spanish giants Real Madrid. To many, this move was Owen’s downfall. Some label it as the end of the golden boy era for Michael Owen.
Make no mistake, Michael Owen was no golden boy at Real Madrid. The talented Englishman spent most of his time fighting for a place on the bench, often drawing criticism from the Spanish press and the fans for his inconsistent form.
Within a year, Owen arrived back in England.
Owen’s time at Newcastle was spoiled with injuries. Had Michael Owen returned to England and managed to stay injury free, maybe the striker would be performing to a very high level to this day, thus assisting him fulfil his full potential. But at Newcastle, Owen would take a few steps forward, scoring a number of goals. Then he would take a few steps back and would find himself injured for a lengthy period.
The consequence of continuous lengthy periods on the sidelines had adverse effects on Owen’s abilities. Owen style of play depended on his pace and sharpness. But without these components Michael Owen lacked the cutting edge, the confidence and crucially, the chance to be a serious thereat to the opposition.
Some argue, Michael Owen was an early peaker, but one can never be sure of this. If Owen hadn’t suffered from a history of injuries in the second half of his career, maybe he would have continued to progress or at least maintain his fantastic goal scoring form.
To be fair, Owen’s injuries were not spontaneous occurrences. They were subtly arising on the surface, even when Owen was at his peak.
Tom Nash (@ffootballer) argues because Michael Owen was exposed to so much high level football at a young age, it would inevitably end up catching up with Owen’s body. This is a fantastic point. By the age of 21, Owen had already played more than 95 Premier League games. Not only this, the sheer expectation, and summer tournaments at a young age must have had an effect on his body.
One must remember, even when Owen was in his early twenties, he suffered some lengthy injuries. In the 1999/2000 season, Owen played 30 games in total. While in the season prior, he appeared 40 times.
Perhaps if Michael Owen’s development was better protected by his national team and club, maybe Owen could have consistently played and performed at the highest level for a longer period of time. His sudden thrust into the highest level of football and his comfort in these surroundings created massive expectations which Owen had to strive to conform to.
It’s sad to say, but Michael Owen’s injuries have hindered him from reaching his true potential. If 10 years ago, one would ask where they would see Michael Owen being, many would speculate he would be playing week in week out continuously finding the net.
The grim reality is that Owen, finds himself predominantly on the bench at Liverpool’s arch rivals Man United. Something which I’m sure most United and Liverpool fans would have never imagined.
However, it cannot be denied. Michael Owen WAS world class. But in the early period of his career. But during a footballer’s conventional peak years (26-31 years old), Owen at that age was never able to regain his world class label.
But Owen was a special player. He held the hopes of the nation, he held the hearts of many football fans. Off the pitch, even at a young age Owen was a true role model not only to children, but to adults.
The regrettable aspect is that poor protection of the striker from his national team and clubs along with some poor transfers and the critical loss of crucial abilities have meant Michael Owen never truly fulfilled his potential.
But when Michael Owen retires from football, he probably will reflect on his career, considering all the if’s and buts. However, when he looks at the medals he has won and what he achieved in his career he will look back at his career with great pride.
Owen has won 89 England caps, scoring a sensational 40 goals. He has a Premier League medal, an FA Cup medal, three League Cups medals and one UEFA Cup medal in his cabinet.
Michael Owen was a special player, a world class player at times, but his decline in the second half of his career hindered him reaching his true potential.
Here are a collection of some of Michael Owen's best goals in a Liverpool shirt:
Let’s start with an astonishing fact. Emile Heskey has made the sixth most appearances in Premier League history. Yes it’s true. Heskey has made 487 Premier League appearances.
That’s more than Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Andy Cole and Steven Gerrard. It’s crazy. Heskey has made more appearances than many Premier League greats. Yet, most Premier League supporters would say, ‘thanks, but no thanks,’ to the idea of Emile Heskey joining their team.
Perhaps, most supporters find this statistic alarming because Heskey doesn’t score many goals, nor does he contribute that substantially in comparison to other strikers.
But it’s fair to say, Heskey does contribute, in a rather unfashionable yet crucial way. Emile Heskey’s main attributes such as his: strength, work ethic, and unselfishness. These are all attributes which have appealed to various managers.
Furthermore, Heskey’s ability to develop an understanding with his fellow strikers, have also been a contributing reason to why he is often favoured by many managers.
Take his strike-partnership with Michael Owen. Arguably, Heskey’s presence helped bring out the best in Michael Owen during his Liverpool and England days.
But the cruel fact is Emile Heskey is a striker. His job is to score goals. Heskey’s goal scoring rate is incredibly disturbing. Perhaps, fans have a right to question his goal scoring prowess. After all, it’s terrible.
His England goal scoring record epitomises this. In 62 appearances for England, he has only scored 8 goals. That’s a goal every 8 games.
Even in club football, Heskey’s goal scoring has been woeful.
Emile Heskey joined Aston Villa in 2009. Since his move he has only scored 8 Premier League goals. In fact, this season, he has only scored 3 Premier League goals. Liam Ridgewell, the Birmingham City centre back has scored more Premier League goals (4) than Heskey. But in Heskey’s defence, he has had had an injury ridden season. But even so. His goal scoring record is not inspiring. It’s unsettling for Aston Villa fans.
But what’s more odd about Heskey’s goal scoring form, is that it’s been poor for a number of years. Since the 2006-07 season, Emile Heskey has never scored more than 10 goals in all competitions. That’s 6 years without reaching 10 goals in a season. Yet, Heskey was taken to the 2010 World Cup and played in a number of crucial games. It almost defies logic. He is a striker, who can not score. But he is still representing England in Football’s biggest competition.
Emile Heskey’s poor goal scoring record begs one question. Is he still a competent Premier League striker? Or has he served his purpose in the Premier League?
To be fair, one must note, Emile Heskey is 33. Perhaps, it’s unsurprising his goal scoring rate has declined. He may not have the legs for the Premier League anymore.
But in the past, Heskey proved he could score consistently. In the early stages of his Premier League career he showed his goal scoring prowess. In total, he scored 40 Premier League goals for his first club Leicester City.
Emile Heskey’s move to Liverpool was the peak of his career. Heskey scored 60 goals in total for Liverpool. The 2001/02 season was his most productive season. Heskey scored 22 goals in all competitions for Liverpool that season. Plus, he also won three trophies too.
Although it’s widely agreed that Heskey’s best ever season was the 2001/02 season. Some argue, it was also the start of his downfall.
In the 2002 World Cup, Heskey was instructed to play on the left wing. His performances on the left wing seemed to highlight his incapacities and lead to various criticisms coming his way. Possibly, Heskey lost his confidence and self- belief during that tournament.
Heskey receives a lot of criticisms for his recent goal scoring record. Perhaps it’s deserved. But many forget to mention Heskey has scored more Premier League goals than; Steven Gerrard, Jermaine Defoe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Didier Drogba.
In fact, Heskey has scored the 16th most goals in Premier League history. In total he has scored 109 Premier League goals. It’s a pretty impressive record. But it’s also quite ironic that he now gets so much criticism for not scoring.
But there is no hiding from the fact Emile Heskey has been out of form for the last 7 years. That is in defendable.
It’s clear, a striker, especially in the Premier League has got to score consistently. But Heskey has been incapable of doing that for years.
Some may argue, Heskey’s role in the team is to support the other forwards and add a physical presence. Perhaps this is true. But Heskey has only assisted once in the Premier League for Aston Villa this season.
It seems Emile Heskey is a star of yesterday. His best days are long gone. Strikers are paid to score. Heskey has failed to do that for several years, yet he still gets substantial game time.
Of course, one could counter and say, Heskey helps link up the play and his unselfish approach is priceless. Perhaps this is true. But there are still many centre forwards in England and elsewhere who can do this. But more crucially, they can chip in with their fair share of goals.
Emile Heskey may have the 6th most appearances in Premier League history. He may also have scored the 16th most amount of goals in Premier League history.
But, its clear Emile Heskey, 33, has served his purpose in the Premier League.
On Tuesday night, I had my mind set on writing a small piece on the reasons why certain players are made captain's of their clubs. And whether they were given the armband for the right reasons. But something rather comical occurred on Tuesday night.
In fact it was Michael Owen who occurred.
Since Michael Owen has joined Twitter, he has provided me with great comedy. It’s a shame, as he doesn’t mean to be funny. But the manner in which he tweets and the content of them are simply golden comedy.
Owen has the habit of telling his followers about the Man United preparation prior to games and what the players are up to. This seems reasonable enough to be fair. But because he is Michael Owen and lets be honest, he isn’t the most respected player in some parts. People look at his tweets and mock him.
Here’s an example, ‘Shower, suited and booted, pre match meal, team meeting, coach to Wembley, Big K.Off. We be back on after the match hopefully in good mood.’When Owen tweeted this, it was received with gloats from a variety of different fans. Some laughed at how excited Owen was to be on the bench. While others viewed him as a sad individual, who has nothing better to do with his time other then tweet about what his colleagues are up to.
Some of tweets Michael Owen comes up with are just magical. They are magical as there are simply so funny. After the Fulham game a few weeks ago, Owen tweeted, ‘Just got home. Another big win for us. I played 20 mins at the end but we played much better in the 1st half than in the 2nd.’ You kind of cant help but laugh at tweets like these.
It’s hilarious, simply for a number of reasons. Firstly, Michael Owen finally gets a game! Secondly, even he admits, United were poor in the second half. When he himself was introduced. It only suggests that his impact on the game was minimal. This kind of symbolises his decline. Owen at 23, would have never been on the bench. And he would never have got excited at playing 20 minutes. It shows how much things have changed. And this is what makes people laugh at Owen’s tweets. The mere change in mentality of the former England star.
But, his tweet about him scoring a crucial goal is absolutely priceless. Owen tweeted, ‘As I've already said, don't know where, don't know when, but there is an important goal to come from me this season - mark my words!!!’ Now, we all know, he will be lucky to even get a few minutes on the pitch in the run in, let alone an ‘important goal.’ The fact he has made only 8 league appearances clearly reinstates this. Perhaps, you should praise his positivity and enthusiasm. But tweets like that are asking people to ridicule him. Even without people ridiculing him, you sub- consciously laugh at him. You instantly think to yourself, hmm, does he even get a game for Man United these days?
Everyone knows that having a bit of an outburst on Twitter is a bad bad idea. It’s bad simply because on Twitter, and generally the internet, people are more likely to react in a vile manner.
Owen was angry with the poor reception he received at St. James’ Park and along with Man United’s disappointing draw. But his tweets represented a man who knows he is in decline and a man who knows the end is near.
Owen firstly tweeted, ‘From what most of you Newcastle fans are saying you should be pleased I left the club! If i had known that earlier I could have left sooner!’ Its clear, Owen is angry and disappointed. But reacting like that, is asking for people to mock and laugh at you. He doesn’t really help himself. As much as he has a right to defend himself, it also gives people especially those who dislike him even more ammunition to criticise him.
It also puts Owen in a rather depressing light. In my eyes, he hasn’t done much wrong to either Liverpool or Newcastle United. But the fans are bitter for various reasons. Perhaps, they have a right to be. But Owen should expect the fans to have some resentment towards him. After all, he has moved to a club which both Newcastle and Liverpool hate. Owen should be the bigger person and just ignore the perceptions of those fans. Its part and parcel of the game. Footballers earn an incredibly amount of money, they should expect people to seriously resent them.
A few moments later, Owen tweeted, ‘When I meet Newcastle or Liverpool fans they all respect what I've done for their clubs. In stadiums it changes, 1 boo and the rest follow.’ Again this clearly shows a man who is hurt by the way he is perceived at his former clubs. It seems he feels undervalued and unacknowledged. But again, saying this on Twitter doesn’t help his cause at all. @AintreeIron wittingly replied, ‘Well to ensure you get a fair reflection of public opinion I'll be sure and boo you next time I see you out and about.’ Owen doesn’t really help himself. As much as his intentions were to show his bemusement and annoyance towards the lack of respect he receives. On Twitter, people are going to take the piss out of him. But the sad thing is, it makes Michael Owen look like an even bigger joke.
No one can deny that Michael Owen’s twitter page has provided more fuel for Newcastle and Liverpool fans to mock him. After Stoke’s victory in the FA Cup semi final, Owen tweeted, ‘And Congrats to Stoke. Always admired Tony Pulis. They deserve their big day out. No team gets an easy game against them.’ @lukehewitt1985 tweeted in response, ‘fishing for a move Mike?’ Whatever he tweets, there will be someone laughing or mocking him. There are football fans who obviously have little respect for him.
Owen himself admitted, ‘you need thick skin to play this tweeting game.’ It’s not surprising in his case. Anything he tweets will be received with humour and irony. People just don’t take him seriously anymore.
Furthermore, Michael Owen’s status as a pantomime villain will only lead to him being continually bombarded with abuse on Twitter.
Perhaps Michael Owen really needs that thick skin.
Things you may like to read
Why Man United need to quickly find a replacement for Paul Scholes - http://tiny.cc/45nlj
How Twitter has changed spectation of football for the fans - http://tiny.cc/iqqjr
Why Man United’s win over Blackpool in January wasn’t a defining moment in their season - http://tiny.cc/ty7v7
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