Never write off Michael Owen

When he burst on to the scene at the 1998 World Cup with that goal (with fantastic commentary by Brian Moore and decidingly less insightful punditry from Kevin Keegan) against Argentina, the future was bright for the fresh-faced Michael Owen

For the past ten years he has been England's talisman, scoring big goals in big games for both club and country. He has long been seen as one of the first names on the team sheet for his country but in the past few months, things have changed for the 28 year-old.

Another new manager has come in on the national front in the form of Italian Fabio Capello. When he signed up for the role, Owen was still recovering from injury and he seemed to be well down the pecking order. Some pundits and fans were starting to knock Owen, believing that his best days were behind him and a return to former glories was just wishful thinking.

At his club side Newcastle United however, there had been a change of manager as well. Geordie hero Kevin Keegan had come back to try and restore the attacking football of the early - mid 90's. After a sticky start, Keegan went back to basics, he used the attacking strength at his disposal to fire Newcastle away from trouble.

Michael Owen slotted into a wide position in a front three with Mark Viduka leading the line and Obafemi Martins on the opposing wing. Suddenly Newcastle transformed into life and more importantly Owen was back and firing on all cylinders.

He has reinvented himself from the off the shoulder striker that tormented defences for the first half of his career. His intelligence is vastly underrated by most, his vision is sublime, his finishing in unerring. When this man is full of confidence and playing with a smile on his face, he is one of the very best.

If England are going to win anything in the next few years then the most important single player is Michael Owen. If he's fit and healthy, he is the one player who can carry the England team on his back. Gerrard can do it for Liverpool but not for his country, the same charges can be laid at the feet of Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney. However Michael Owen has done it at the very top level time and time again.

The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa and if an England player is to lift the trophy, then Michael Owen needs to be involved and needs to be involved in a very big way.