Fabio Capello to Snub Michael Owen Yet Again

I can remember back when my cousin Kevin was playing football. He used to rant and rave about Michael Owen. So, a few years later, when I started to watch football more, the first name I flocked to was Michael Owen.

And rightfully so. Owen has proved himself not only domestically but on the international level as well. So that makes me wonder why England coach, Fabio Capello, has snubbed the player for the recent round of qualifiers.

While the official list of 23 has not been released, Capello has been rather mum about the possibility that Owen will be kitting up for the Three Lions.

Capello is citing that the recent activities taking place at Newcastle United are not good for Owen and could shake his confidence on the pitch. That seems like a rather bad assessment on Capello's part, since Owen has scored five goals in seven appearances this season.

Capello has countered the goal argument by reaffirming his belief that the situation at a club can effect the way a player plays. This can be a valid argument, but it seems like Capello is taking a page from the Scolari coaching method.

The Chelsea gaffer repeatedly said that he could fix the problem with Anelka by talking to him and trying to bolster his confidence.

Despite the turmoil at St. James', it seems that Owen, who is finally fit, is in perfect working order. In fact a stint with the national team, where he has performed well in the past, might just be what the doctor ordered.

Capello, however, is using the space on the team to give more time to the big gun from Arsenal, Theo Walcott, whose hat-trick sealed England's victory over Croatia last month.

Psychologically, Capello should be worried about Walcott more than Owen. Arsenal have seen poor results in their last two Premiership outings, losing to Hull and nearly losing against Sunderland.

While this is unlikely to be Owen's last chance to draw a cap for England, his time with the Three Lions is likely dwindling. He might get eleven more caps and then never see daylight again. The new status symbol seems to be to get the 100th cap, and Owen currently sits at 89.

Time will only tell if the sun is setting on Owen's career. It is clear, though, that the striker is not done and to scrub him from your roster because you do not feel that he is mentally capable of playing at the international level is a faulty move that will likely make Capello another casualty in the long line of England managers.