Source: Telegraph
Michael Owen is good enough for England says Peter Beardsley
Beardsley spoke out after Owen was overlooked by Capello despite a spate of injuries to forwards in the build-up to Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine at Wembley.
"Michael would always be in my squad," said the former Newcastle and Liverpool striker.
"It's the same scenario with David Beckham – I wouldn't always have him in my team but he'd be in my squad.
"I had the pleasure of working with the both of them during my brief time as England coach. They're perfect role models and players look up to them."
Beardsley added: "Michael always looks like he's going to score goals when he is given those chances.
"If he gets one or two chances in a game, I'd be willing to bet that he'd score one of them.
"He's a natural finisher – and that's something you can't coach. He's like Alan Shearer – he'll always be in the right place at the right time." Beardsley is also banking on injury-jinxed Owen to score the goals that will protect relegation-threatened Newcastle's top-flight status this season.
"Michael should never, ever be criticised by any fan of this football club," Beardsley said.
"He didn't choose to be injured, he got injured playing for England and the club got well compensated for that.
"Whatever Michael Owen does for this club is more than good enough for me.
"He's the perfect role model for this club and this city, he never gets involved in any controversy, he's a leader.
"Just because he doesn't rant and rave it doesn't mean he's not a 'proper' captain or a 'proper' leader." Owen is set to leave Newcastle this summer but Beardsley, who now works as a forwards' coach at the club's academy, is hoping owner Mike Ashley can pull a rabbit out of the hat to secure his services.
"We need a star in our team," Beardsley added. "Whether it be Milburn, Macdonald, Keegan or Shearer – we've always needed an icon in our team to hang our hats on and that's where Michael comes in," he said.
"I would pull out all the stops to keep him at Newcastle United, and I think they will. But what you have to realise is that Michael Owen will have choices. He's on a free as well, so teams will be looking at him.
"The unfortunate thing for Mike Ashley will be that it has now almost been taken out of his hands. It's almost the luck of the draw now.
"But Michael's decision will be a football one, not a financial one. It'll be about whether he thinks it's right for his football career. If he went, I would wish him well."
