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| Soccer Rules |
| Name | Michael James Owen |
|
Position
|
Striker |
|
Date of Birth
|
14 December 1979 |
|
Birthplace
|
Chester |
|
Height
|
5'9'' |
|
Weight
|
10.4 |
|
Club Honours
|
FA Youth Cup '96 |
|
International Honours
|
England: 9; Under 21-1; Youth; Schoolboy |
|
Transfers
|
home to Grimsby (Coca Cola Cup) and at Sheffield Wednesday in the
Liverpool (From juniors on 18/12/96) Premier League 35+3/19 Football League Cup 4/4 Others 3+1/1 |
 |
Having got his Liverpool career underway
in 1996-97, Michael proceeded to get his full international career underway
on 11 February 1998, against Chile at Wembley, and, in doing so, at the
age of 18 years and 59 days, became the youngest player this century to
play for England, surpassing Duncan Edwards record by 124 days. He had
earlier played for the England U21 side against Greece.
In short, it was a superlative season for the goalscoring wizard, usurping even the great heights to which Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush had aspired. He is younger, much quicker, more mentally alert, and more imposing than any youngster of recent years. Despite a lack of height, he is phenomenally fast, his quicksilver pace being too much for all but the finest of defenders, and he is deadly when running at people, particularly in the area. Regarded by Pele as the best player in England, he scored 23 goals for Liverpool last season, which included hat tricks at Premiership, and, as we go to press, he awaits World Cup glory in France '98. |
| Was also delighted to be named as the PFA Young Player of the Year,
as well as being included in the PFA Premiership select. Stop Press: Held
back purposely by Glenn Hoddle during England's opening game of the World
Cup Finals, Michael was introduced in the 73rd minute of the Romanian match
and scored an equaliser ten minutes later, before the Romanians snatched
a winner in the 90th minute. Then, having started against Colombia, he
showed his true worth against Argentine in the second round, his ability
to run at defenders bringing about a penalty for the equaliser, and one
of the goals of the competition when he raced past two defenders to shoot
across the 'keeper into the top corner. Although England went out, following
a penalty shoot-out, the youngest player on view was one of the bright
spots of the tournament and was acknowledged by all and sundry as being
a future "great".
|