Owen Hargreaves - just...why?

[NMH]

Can anyone tell me why he gets picked for England?

I watched the NI game again today, and I didn't see any completed passes from him, he didn't get past anyone, he got dispossessed for lingering on the ball, and he donated nothing more than any Conference-grade player could have done.

My Gran hasn't got any England caps, so really, why should Hargreaves?

 

[Silent Bob]

He completed more passes than Steven Gerrard.

 

[REDLAND]

Maybe because he consistantly perfroms for one of the best club sides in europe week in week out, and probably a little bit of you talking rubbish as well !!!

 

[Schrödinger's Toad]

He's one of those players you don't really notice so much, but does a crucial job - it's a pity there's no room for him in the team at the moment (although he'd probably be a better bet at RB than Neville). He's like Xavi for Spain, quiet and industrious, wins the ball and moves it on with some good passing. I rate him.

 

[Napper]

i dont rate him and think he's in there as he plays for Bayern Munich

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

and why does he play for Bayern Munich ?

 

[junior]

i dont rate him and think he's in there as he plays for Bayern Munich

DITTO

 

[nwgull]

He would be a good defensive midfielder and give either Gerrard or Lampard a lot more scope to attack, unfortunately it would be hard to drop either of those 2.

 

[Napper]

and why does he play for Bayern Munich ?

Because his mother is a Canadian black witch and has threatened to turn Hitzfeld into a alley cat if her son doesn't play week in week out.

Rumours that Sven is under the same spell are unproven however

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Nothing spectacular but he does a good tidying up job in midfield and holds the ball up well. I'd continue to use him as Sven does, as a sub to help us hold onto a lead.

 

[Codner's Crackpipe]

Nothing spectacular but he does a good tidying up job in midfield and holds the ball up well. I'd continue to use him as Sven does, as a sub to help us hold onto a lead.

agreed. and if the alternative in that role is philip neville then fair do's i say.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

He is a good player thats why he is in the squad

 

[Scarface]

It's hard to make an impact on a game when you only get 10 minutes here and there. Great free kick against Sweden very Beckham-esque!

 

[the right footed denilson]

and he isnt an impact player. as said before, he is a player you very rarely notice, but, in his central mid role he is very very good. like xavi or makele he does an enormous amount of work winning the ball back and making the right passes.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

The Oatway of the team maybe?

O wait Hargreaves can find his own team mates

 

[Chesney Christ]

He's like Xavi for Spain, quiet and industrious, wins the ball and moves it on with some good passing. I rate him.

Blimey, are you sure? Xavi is the best passer of a ball in Europe, without exception.

Hargreaves is decent enough - does a lot of running, wins the ball and generally gives it simple to a more talented player to do something better with it. Doesn't deserve to be spoken of in the same breath as Xavi though.

 

[Chesney Christ]

like xavi or makele

Blimey its contagious.

 

[Silent Bob]

I find that quite odd too

 

[Chesney Christ]

I find that quite odd too

Glad I'm not the only one. Xavi must have an identical twin who occasionally turns up to games instead, and runs about like Makelele and Hargreaves. The one I've seen play is far closer in style to Zinedine Zidane (and better, on current form).

 

[Easy 10]

Sorry, but I'm with NMH on this. OK, I accept he's not a "billboard" player who is ever going to do anything spectacular in a game, but he really is completely anonymous whenever he comes on. We could put Charlie in the England team to chase around and make 5 yard passes. I certainly can't recall Hargreaves making any crucial tackles, or doing anything that initiates a counter-attack or dangerous move.

Whenever I've seen him in an England shirt, he's done very little other than making up the numbers. I suppose in terms of holding midfielders, there's not really a lot of choice out there for England. But as long as Lampard and Gerrard are disciplined enough to work on their partnership to ensure that one of them covers while the other one maraudes forward, I see no need for Hargreaves in the team.