Cast your mind back to 1st September 2001 and England fans are jubilant in their celebrations. They have just witnessed their England side demolish their biggest rivals, Germany 5-1 in the Olympiastadion, München.
Of the squad that donned the three lions shirt that evening, 8 of the 18 players involved are still playing today, with the likes of Seaman, Campbell and McManaman having all retired. We had 3 goal scorers that eventful night, all of which are still going… however only one is still going strong, Steven Gerrard. He scored England’s 2nd goal, a drive from the edge of the box, a skill he perfected and repeated many more times. He has also just returned from Euro 2012, now England captain and arguably their best player at the tournament. The other two goal scorers that night in Germany were Emile Heskey and Michael Owen, who hit a brilliant hat-trick. These two have both been released by their clubs, Aston Villa and Manchester United respectively. So what happens now for England’s old front two, the strike partnership that helped us to one of our most famous victories?
Heskey has always been a marmite footballer, there are fans that love him and there are those that hate him. Taking one look on the internet you can see the majority fall in the latter, with him being the butt of endless jokes and made a scapegoat for endless drab England performances over the years. He is however, one of 21 players to join the Premier League 100 Club in scoring 100+ Premier League goals, an honour he shares with the likes of Shearer, Henry and Drogba. If you look at his recent goal scoring record however, it doesn’t make for pleasant viewing, 29 goals in the last 6 seasons means Van Persie scored more in one season last year.
At 34, it is debatable whether Heskey can still cut it in the Premiership with his tally getting worse year by year, only managing one last season. He has however, been linked with a move to the Championship, to Leeds United and former club Leicester where he scored 46 times. A drop in divisions might be ideal for him, where he can use his experience and strength to nick a few goals and set up chances for others, after all we are always told to look at his work off the ball and his unselfishness towards team-mates.
Heskey’s former England and Liverpool strike partner, Owen, enjoyed his most prolific seasons partnering the big man up front. He is now 32 and has had an injury ravaged career after it had started so explosively for club and country. Remember that goal against Argentina at France 98?
He scored 150+ goals for Liverpool before being moved on to Real Madrid in 2004 in a player plus cash deal, Antonio Nunez plus 8 million pounds, a bargain for Madrid it would seem. Owen struggled and only managed 15 starts, however he finished the season as the player with the highest goals to minutes ratio. He then moved to Newcastle which was ravaged with injury, yet he still showed he had a keen eye for goal. When his contract ran out there were a host of clubs linked, however Alex Ferguson led the chase and snapped him up on a free. Over the 3 seasons spent at Old Trafford, Owen made just over 50 appearances and scored 17 goals, just under a 1 in 3 ratio, not bad for a supposed has-been. Although the majority of these goals came in cup games against teams outside of the Premiership, he still showed the poachers instinct, that goal in “Fergie Time” against Manchester City springs to mind.
Owen himself thinks he can still cut it in the Premiership and said he would retire before dropping down a division. Given chances, he will always score you goals. His pace might have gone, but that goal scoring knack still remains, very similar to present England striker Darren Bent and his predatory instincts. Owen remains England’s 4th highest top scorer ever and could easily score 10+ goals in a season if he remains fit. Sometimes that seems a big if, but he could still be worth a punt.
So would you want Heskey or Owen in your team? Discuss!
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
HESKEY AND AKINFEMWA FOR THE EPL. PROPER TANKS.