Following on from my Ashley Cole article yesterday, during which it was established Ashley isn't actually disrespected, I wanted to point out that I think Michael Owen is possibly the most disrespected EPL player ever. Now granted when he left Liverpool and found his way to Newcastle and then us, his best days were behind him but that doesn't change the fact he was genuinely elite in his day for years and years.
For the younger generation who only know Owen as an irritating, ridiculously pro-Liverpool pundit, they probably don't know just what an incredible striker he was for season after season; not only for Liverpool but for England as well. In the late 90's and early 00's, it felt like every time he played for England he'd end up scoring with ease and not just in friendlies and qualifiers but in the big tournaments too.
Owen was quite possibly unlucky that Rooney stormed onto the tournament scene in 2004 the way he did, when he was starting to become more 'mortal' through injuries and then made that regretful move to Madrid, because it felt like his stock suddenly plummeted overnight as the hype train for Rooney became overwhelming; justifiably too I might add after Euro 2004, but that still doesn't change what a great striker Michael Owen was.
Look at this goal against Brazil for example, one you won't have seen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsxvu7RNm2E
Owen is only just 20 years old here, but his presence of mind to open his body up with that classy touch and then finish is scary for someone so young especially against world class defenders.
Call me what you like, but i'm not sure Mbappe was a better 18 year old than Owen was. It's certainly closer than you'd probably admit. In a way he's become an exile: no longer worshipped by Liverpool fans; bitter that he moved to us and won a title, yet he's not accepted by us either because he was a Liverpool great.
Definitely disrespected and overlooked in my book. Easily a top 5 all time EPL striker, but I bet most people wouldn't even think to mention him or put him in their top 10.
Michael Owen: Disrespected?
posted on 26/3/24
comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 37 minutes ago
I actually find Owen unintentionally hilarious, but pretty sure he's on the spectrum or something.
That clip of him in that 'soccer skills' show he did, volleying close range shots at a 14 year old in front of Neville Southall - i think it's one of my favourite bits of TV.
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Just watched that and this one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOxNspUPyE
I keep watching back his celebration at 1.26.
posted on 26/3/24
Great video, his helicopter in Dubai is also fantastic.
https://youtu.be/vwq7gJlH59g?si=iyZmGcCTniNBIuIs
posted on 26/3/24
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 37 minutes ago
I actually find Owen unintentionally hilarious, but pretty sure he's on the spectrum or something.
That clip of him in that 'soccer skills' show he did, volleying close range shots at a 14 year old in front of Neville Southall - i think it's one of my favourite bits of TV.
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Just watched that and this one:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOxNspUPyE
I keep watching back his celebration at 1.26.
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Yeah, it's brilliant.
Just watched the volley one again as I made that comment. It's facking amazing...he's 5 yards out
https://youtu.be/Dltm2Fs97tQ?si=scrStBIZvQs3Znqy
posted on 26/3/24
The helicopter video is amazing.
bloodred, his voiceover makes it even better.
“I just love volleying. Poor old Jamie has no chance.”
posted on 26/3/24
Easily a top 5 all time EPL striker
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So wait, you would have him ahead of one of Henry, Aguero, Kane, Shearer and Rooney?
On what basis? That he was really good when he was young? Yeah he was but unfortunately him not fulfilling his potential and his lack of longevity leaves him short of the above guys.
posted on 26/3/24
Andy Cole is very much underrated, to score those goals without taking penalties is outrageous.
posted on 26/3/24
Michael Owen had something different from all the players rated, and in his field he was the best at what he does. Explosiveness and quick with clean finishing, he's definitely amongst the very best.
posted on 26/3/24
comment by Rover the hill and far away (U7040)
posted 8 hours, 27 minutes ago
comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
Surely RVN has to be in there
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Fowler, RVN, Drogba, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Defoe as well as Owen were all great strikers and we already know that Haaland will have a place there a bit later....
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I'll put Jamie Vardy ahead of many, he did what he did the hardest way. It is incredible to achieve what Vardy has achieved at Leicester City, not the glamorous traditional top teams with hundreds of millions of players supporting him.
posted on 26/3/24
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
The Fowler vs Owen thing reminds of when people try and convince you that Ronaldo is better than Messi.
Just use your eyes.
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messi, ronaldo, and owen are ballon d'or winners
fowler never got anywhere near
posted on 27/3/24
so, totaling up the opinions on here and we have a decision. Owen was overrated. Nice one gents, who is next?