Owen Hargreaves: Why he is right for England
Also In The News
|
Britain's first industry-wide industrial action since the general strike of 1926 could take place this summer after negotiations between Network Rail and railway staff collapsed earlier today. |  |
Wednesday, 10, May 2006 05:54
Owen Hargreaves has two reasons to feel pleased with himself this week. Not only was he included in Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, but thanks to the furore surrounding Theo Walcott's inclusion and concerns about the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, he was spared a mauling in the press.
Hargreaves is not a popular choice among sports journalists - or in fact among England fans, but Sven's decision to take him was, like most of his squad selection, the right move. After recovering from surgery on a groin problem, the lively 25-year-old is fit and raring to go, bringing experience and versatility to a young and exciting group of players.
Having won the Champions League, the World Club Cup and four Bundesliga titles Hargreaves knows what it takes to perform at the top level. He has 49 Champions League appearances under his belt and limited but important outings for England, including an assured substitute's performance against Portugal at Euro 2004, which he capped off with a coolly taken penalty in the shootout.
If, come mid June, England find themselves trailing with 20 minutes to go in a knockout tie, Sven might look to his bench and call on the likes of Aaron Lennon, Walcott or Peter Crouch to go on and make something happen. But if the Swede is looking to close a game down rather than snatch a vital goal, inject some energy into the midfield and press the opposition, Hargreaves - England's Steady Eddy - is just the man for the job.
The England boss will also give himself a well-earned pat on the back if Gary Neville picks up an injury after the June 9th deadline. Hargreaves has filled in at right back on numerous occasions for Bayern and would make a worthy understudy for the Manchester United captain.
Substitutions though, are not Sven's strong point and Hargreaves is not alone in having been sent into the fray when a different type of player would have been more suitable. Hargreaves is not likely to turn around a 1-0 defeat to Northern Ireland, but neither is Jamie Carragher, Wayne Bridge or Jermaine Jenas. Baffling decisions by the head coach have tarnished Hargreaves' reputation unfairly, and he has never let his country down when called upon.
Without the injured Ledley King, Scott Parker and Luke Young, England need cover to shore up the midfield and fill in at full-back. He might not be the most popular inclusion in the preliminary 23, but he is an important member of the squad who could yet make a vital if understated contribution.
Anyone who can hold his own at one of the top clubs in Europe for five years, competing with top class players from Mehmet Scholl and Jens Jeremies to Michael Ballack and Martin Demichelis, simply cannot be a bad player.
His medal haul, the big games he has taken part in at a young age and his ability to plug gaps in an England team already missing its best player, mean Hargreaves deserves his place on the bench as much as anyone.
Got an opinion on the World Cup? Disagree with this piece? Let us know.
Adam Barber