Former England striker Michael Owen has claimed that Marouane Fellaini is not suited to Manchester United and that Everton’s Ross Barkley would have been a smarter purchase. Owen also criticises Mesut Ozil for a series of inconsistent performances.
Here’s what Michael Owen had to say about the rest of the Premier League
On the title credentials of Liverpool Michael Owen writes in Sports Lobster:
“Liverpool are fully deserving of being labelled title contenders. The Reds are firmly back in the big time. The noises I am hearing are that Rodgers has money to spend this coming window and should he unearth another couple of gems, I certainly wouldn’t back against them lifting some silverware come May.”
Michael Owen also claims a Champions League place is well within Everton’s capabilities, while Manchester City are the best team in the Premier League and despite his pre-season prediction of a Chelsea title, “City must be considered as the most likely winners at this stage.”
On Spurs, Michael Owen added: “The money from the sale of Gareth Bale has, on the whole, been poorly reinvested and they seem to have taken a backward step since Harry Redknapp’s departure. They have plenty to do if they have aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League. Deciding who is to replace Villas Boas in the hot seat is of huge importance. The Spurs board must get this one right if they are to keep tabs with the Premier League’s elite.”
Michael Owen also commented on Newcastle United’s resurgence: “They are having another season to remember. It’s no coincidence their poor form in the league last year coincided with a visit to the Europa League. The injuries amassed and the accumulation of games took its toll in Europe, as Swansea are finding out this season. I expect the Magpies to post a top ten finish.”
Rounding up the rest, he said: “Southampton are another team that have impressed. It’s great to see so many young English players doing so well and The Saints look like top ten material.
“Premier League survival has to be the rest’s main priority. Hull City have really impressed me. I thought they were relegation certainties prior to the season but Steve Bruce has got them playing well. Swansea and Stoke should have too much to get sucked down there too. That leaves eight teams to battle it out to stay in the division in my book. Aston Villa don’t convince me at present and their best player is out of form. West Brom and West Ham are also out of form and are plummeting fast. Cardiff and Norwich are digging in admirably while renewing belief appears to have lifted the spirits at Sunderland, Fulham and in particular, Crystal Palace.”
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Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. He’s also an analyst for multiple news talk radio stations across the country; with regular weekly segments on NBC and Fox Sports Radio. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks) and RSS Catch him Tuesdays talking Illini and Northwestern for KOZN 1620 The Zone, Fridays talking Chicago Bears for WAOR 95.7 The Fan