Michael Owen Believes England Fans Can Get Too Carried Away Expecting Team To Win Every Tournament
Former England striker and fan favorite Michael Owen has a message for fans – managing expectations is key for the Three Lions at Euro 2024. In an exclusive interview with this publication, Owen shared how England supporters often get ahead of themselves thinking the national team has a “divine right” to lift every trophy.
While England boast a squad filled with world-class talent, the tournament format means there are no guarantees. As Owen knows from experiences with some talented England sides of the past, even the best teams can fall short. He pointed to the semifinal run at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020 final appearance as evidence the current crop are performing well, despite the small size of the country on the global stage.
Fans unleashed fury on manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark in England's second group match. But Owen says overreacting to one result is unnecessary, and cautions against putting undue pressure on a team with potential but no divine right to win.
Though he praised Southgate for fostering a positive environment, Owen voiced tactical concerns. Namely, playing two holding midfielders limits options in attack when England are blessed with creative talent. Youngsters like midfielder Cole Palmer deserve chances to influence games off the bench.
Only by playing to strengths and being braver with selections can England truly challenge for trophies, according to Owen. But the group remains on track to advance, and with improved displays as the tournament progresses, supporters may find reasons to remain optimistic about their chances on the biggest stage.
