John Terry: Michael Owen move to Manchester United could hurt Chelsea

12 August 2009 13:53
Owen has only featured in one match under Fabio Capello and has been left out of tonight’s squad for the friendly international against Holland altogether. The 29-year-old, who has 40 England goals to his name, drifted in to the international wilderness during his ill-fated spell at Newcastle, but Terry is convinced that now he is at a top club like United the goals will come again if he stays fit. “I’m sure playing for Manchester United and training with those players day in, day out, will mean he is only going to score goals, which I must say is a bit of a nightmare for me as a Chelsea player because I want to win the League and get the trophy back off Manchester United,” Terry told the Evening Standard. “He only played 12 or 13 minutes against us in the Community Shield but he still showed glimpses of what he can do. “We all know he can finish, we all know he works hard and the qualities he possesses. Can he play in the World Cup? 100 per cent, yes. “I think the manager has said that there are places for anyone in the squad, not just Michael, if they are playing well or scoring goals. “The manager is not going to be able to overlook things if he is playing well, he will have to pick you.” England meet the Dutch tonight with qualification for next year’s tournament a virtual formality after a perfect record in their group games under Capello, a record they share with the Dutch who have already booked their place in South Africa. Capello has insisted on friendly matches against top teams, with the Dutch match following on from games against France, Germany and Spain. And Terry for one is eager to test himself against the best, even if in the past such meetings bred apprehension. “We have all spoken about it in the past and every player would be lying if they said they didn’t feel that bit of fear going into the big England games. Now that has been wiped away and that’s because of our performances. “It’s nice when the fans are right behind you, but we have had to overcome that mental barrier, which we have done. “There is no worry against the top sides or anything like that. We have played some good sides and beaten them. “We have come to Holland confident, realising it is a big game and it’s important to get the most out of it.”

Source: Telegraph