Hoddle: Owen is England's top striker
Hat trick for Liverpool cements spot in England's lineup
Posted: Monday August 31, 1998 10:14 AM
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England's soccer future is looking brighter with players like Michael Owen in the mix Ross Kinnaird/Allsport |
LONDON (Reuters) -- England coach Glenn Hoddle hailed Michael Owen on Monday as the best striker in the country after his awesome start to the season.
The 18-year-old Liverpool forward has continued the form that catapulted him to stardom in the World Cup and scored a hat trick in just 16 minutes against Newcastle on Sunday.
He is now firmly the top choice to partner with Alan Shearer against Sweden in a European championship qualifying game in Solna on Saturday.
Hoddle said: "The hat trick was sensational. By putting in performances like that, he is forcing my arm all the time. The good thing about Michael is he still wants to learn and enjoys playing at the highest level.
"He is very single-minded on the pitch and you need that bit of arrogance and self-belief to create the problems he does. At the moment he is the best striker in the country.
"The whole world has respected him and that means defenders pay him more attention. But if you have that little bit of fear and respect from an opponent it can also make life a bit easier."
Owen's partnership with Shearer is still in the embryonic stage, but Hoddle believes they can form a fearsome strike force.
The England coach said: "With two players up front who can both score it is an awesome pairing. We brought Michael into the squad early because Alan can bring things to his game and that has already happened."
Owen is unfazed by the close attention he can expect to face from a wary Swedish defense.
The teenager said: "It doesn't bother me if I get three players marking me because it will leave two of my teammates spare. We have enough good players to take advantage.
"It has come quickly for me, but I was always confident I could play at the highest level."
Defender Rio Ferdinand is Hoddle's major worry with a groin strain, while midfielder Steve McManaman faces a scan on an ankle injury and Arsenal's Ray Parlour is recovering from a bruised calf.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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