Michael Owen has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to drop Noni Madueke from the starting lineup and give Bukayo Saka the nod for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday evening. The former England striker believes Saka's experience and ability make him the better choice for such a high-stakes match.
Owen Calls for Changes After Quarter-Final Struggle
England reached the semi-finals after a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice. However, Owen felt the team did not perform well. 'Against Norway, we didn't play particularly well. In fact, Norway probably played better than us. So we're definitely going to have to find a better performance to win in the semi-final and to win the tournament,' Owen told Metro.
Tuchel has an almost fully fit squad, with only Jordan Henderson (injured) and Jarell Quansah (suspended) unavailable. Owen does not expect major changes but sees the right-wing position as an area to improve. 'I think the right-wing position is where he should look to change. Both Saka and Madueke like to run at their defender and beat their man. Obviously, Saka is coming back from an injury and just building his way back into the tournament, but my inkling would be that Saka would start in this one. It feels too big a game to not have him starting,' Owen added.
Reece James Also in Contention
Reece James, who came off the bench against Norway, is pushing for a start. Owen, a UK ambassador for Casino.org, highlighted James's quality. 'When he's fit, Reece James is certainly one of the best right-backs in the world. When you look at world players in their position and say, right, is this player one of the best in the world in his position, then you would say that Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are, but Reece James is also in that category. So with that in mind, you'd have to consider starting him. It's not like he's been out for a month or two months. So if he's fit, then I would be tempted,' Owen said.
Rivalry Takes Back Seat in Semi-Final
England and Argentina share a historic rivalry, but Owen believes it is irrelevant for such a big game. 'That rivalry is not irrelevant, but it's put to the side when it's a World Cup semi-final. If it was a friendly, we'd be saying, remember this and remember that and whatever, because you're trying to stoke something up. Whereas, forget rivalry, this is the World Cup semi-final and that is going to proceed or overtake anything in terms of importance. Thomas Tuchel was that bothered about what happened 50, 60 years ago either, to be honest. I can't imagine any of the team talk is going to be on the rivalry. He'll be saying we've got bigger fish to fry and a real chance to win the World Cup,' Owen insisted.
England's Path to Final
If England beat Argentina, they will face either Spain or France in the final. Owen is cautious about England's chances. 'I think as an English fan, we can definitely get to the final. I think we'd have more chance against Spain than France. But both of those teams would be favourites against us. I'm thinking we're going to get to the final and we're going to lose in the final. That's how I sort of see it. Of course, my heart says England, but my head says France are better than us; Spain are probably better than us,' he concluded.
