Last Updated: Monday, 4 October, 2004, 12:30 GMT 13:30
Eriksson must pick Owen
By Alan Hansen
BBC Sport football expert
''But I don't believe he will wait forever in Real's reserves. He might leave it three months and see how it's going - and you can be sure there would be plenty of clubs wanting to sign him.
I'm not suggesting Chelsea would buy him, but I guarantee he would have had 10 goals in their side already this season. He would just stand in the penalty area popping the chances in, because the amount of opportunities they create is incredible.
Goalscorers are worth their weight in gold and there are few better around than Michael Owen - this fact alone must get him the nod to play against Wales on Saturday.''
What is Hansen up to here? Is this more veiled advice for Owen to join yet another Club? Does Hansen have a problem with LFC or vice/versa? Why is he not saying ''if he had stayed at Anfield, he would have scored 10 goals by now etc.''?
Why does he make the following statement :
''It's not about money for Michael. It is about winning the big prizes and his pride means he will not want to return home in January or next summer because he will be labelled a failure abroad and no-one wants that.''
Is he trying to encourage Owen not to return to Anfield, while LFC seem to be doing their best to leave the door open for a return ?
