Michael Owen opens up about England's midfield balance, Lamine Yamal and favourites for Euro 2024 title

The former English striker feels Spain could beat Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024

Born on December 14, 1979, Michael Owen is an Englishman who was an attacker for Stoke City, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and the England national team. He retired from football in 2013. In addition to becoming a racehorse breeder and owner, he frequently appears as a sports analyst, pundit and commentator. Many people agree that Owen is among the best attackers in Premier League history as well as of his era.

Our journalist got a chance to interact with the renowned striker who shared his views on the ongoing Euro 2024 competition as a former England player he also talked about the Three Lions midfield scenario and gave his input, Below is the transcript from the interaction.

Do you think England are yet to find balance in their midfield, and according to you, who should Gareth Southgate start other than Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice?

“Well, I mentioned this topic pre-tournament. As I said, I have never been a fan of the two number sixs that England are playing, and we knew what Southgate was doing, and he has always done it. If you see every team, even in the Premier League, playing with one number six, whether it’s Rodri at Manchester City, Endo at Liverpool, or something else, nobody really plays two number sixes.”

“So when you have a goalkeeper, four defenders, and two number sixes, you have seven defensive players, and I think they should have one number six, and then we can get an extra player in attack, and Rice is more than capable of number six.”

“So personally, I would play Rice as number six, then Foden and Bellingham. And this is what I said before the competition, and this is what is happening.”

What are your views on Lamine Yamal, as he has been the most influential player for Spain and will be ready to make a big difference against Germany?

“Yeah, Yamal, in this competition, we have witnessed many young generations who establish themselves as future prodigies and the player that was me in the 1999 generation, as we always get on with two or three young players and we get excited about them in the future.”

“Yamal is obviously a real youngster; having shown his talent at Barca and now in Spain, he has demonstrated a level of competitiveness, and it’s good to see young players doing well. Spain and Germany are going to be a difficult game, and Spain have been the best team, so it’s going to be a big test for the host nation, and even if they do, they will have to play either Portugal or France.”

“But Spain have been looking good. Yamal was looking good, and Rodri in the centre of the pitch is such an important player; he is the best player in the world in his position, and having him there is such a big command for a team like Spain, and I didn’t have them as semifinalists, but they have impressed me.

UEFA Euro 2024 is being broadcasted LIVE on Sony LIV, and the same is available is 6 different languages including features such as LIVE Stats & Star Cams – that allow you to follow your favorite player on the field while the game is going on

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