It is still early days, but Fabio Capello requires two defensive midfielders for his 4-2-3-1 and England does not have two defensive midfielders better than Owen Hargreaves
Well fancy that. Just as Sir Alex Ferguson was ludicrously asked on Tuesday evening whether Michael Owen ought to be back playing for England on the strength of two goals for Manchester United reserves against the team formerly known as Leeds United, so Roberto Mancini has already had to field questions in the morning about Owen Hargreaves's chances of reclaiming his place in the national side. And they say the Carling Cup is a pointless competition.
Fabio Capello can also expect the Hargreaves question quite soon, after the midfielder announced his return with a splendid goal against Birmingham City, although strictly speaking the England manager has already been asked. Hargreaves had just completed his unlikely move to Manchester City when England played in Bulgaria at the start of this month, and Capello was somewhat surprised to find people were interested in whether he had any plans to start including Hargreaves in his squads. "Tcchah!" he said, or whatever the Italian is for I can't believe I've been asked that question. "He needs to play some games first."
Fair enough, but Hargreaves now looks as though he will play some games. One of the most improbable comebacks imaginable is on. It is still early days in terms of a full recovery, and it would be unwise to project too far into the future on the strength of an hour played and a goal scored against a weak Birmingham side, but to quote Macbeth, the greatest is behind. For years it has been a matter of doubtful conjecture whether Hargreaves would ever kick a ball again, let alone win a contract at a club in the Champions League bracket and score a goal in a senior fixture to announce his return. If he can do that he can probably do anything, because let's face it, goals were hardly his strong point when he was at the peak of his game before injury intervened.
If Hargreaves can play again he can play his way into both the City team and the England team. Gareth Barry is the immediate barrier in his way, and Scott Parker has deservedly played his way into the national side, but if Hargreaves has overcome his mental and physical problems and can see a way to returning to full fitness, both Mancini and Capello would be interested. Mancini has said as much already. "It is important we don't rush him back, because I think with the right recovery he can become a fantastic player like he was," the City manager said. "I think it will also be important for the England team."
As with Owen, the number of games he gets at club level will ultimately determine his international future, though not even Owen's biggest admirers would try to argue that the striker is the player he once was and deserves more regular run-outs for Manchester United. Capello seemed to accept that Owen's England days were more or less over from the start of his tenure and has never been tempted to incorporate him into his plans or encourage a move to get more game time.
Hargreaves still has to prove he has not lost anything vital in his three years on the sidelines, but if he can do that ? and his club manager and his doctors appear confident ? then England would definitely be interested, especially with a tournament in the offing. Capello's time in England has mostly coincided with the player's time out of the game, but the Italian's preferred system now requires two defensive midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and this country does not have two defensive midfielders better than the player who was voted England's best performer at the 2006 World Cup.
There is no real need to look too far ahead and get excited about England when the player has only just started his comeback at club level, yet what was noticeable about Hargreaves's latest steps to recovery was that they were not stuttering steps, and if anyone is due some good luck and a fair wind it is a player who had to resort to uploading videos on YouTube to proclaim that his debilitating injuries were now in the past. Hargreaves seems a decent bloke who deserves a chance. Let's all hope his problems stay in the past.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/sep/22/hargreaves-england
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