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4 seconds - That's all it took Owen to prove his genius to amazed England bosses.
Liverpool superkid Michael Owen took just four seconds to prove himself a legend in the making.
That was all it took for the teenager to convince the England coaches they'd just witnessed a genius at work.
The venue was Lilleshall just a few weeks ago as coach Ted Powell oversaw a get-together of 40 of England's finest under-18s. Says Powell: "We had a little competition among the strikers with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
"The forwards had to run from 30 yards out and beat the goalkeeper - but they only had four seconds in which to score. Michael was sensational and won the competition hands down.
"He displayed such coolness and clinical finishing that no-one could get near him - it was unbelievable.
"He knew the clock was ticking but he stayed calm and composed and remained totally focused on what he was doing. Even with the keeper sprinting off his line to close him down, Michael gave him no chance.
"It was probably the finest demonstration of finishing I've ever seen and it just reaffirmed my belief that if his progress continues he may become one of football's greatest strikers."
Powell, responsible for guiding the cream of England's youngsters towards Glenn Hoddle's Under-21 squad, is convinced Owen is the best striker he's ever worked with - and that includes Owen's Kop mate Robbie Fowler.
He said: "In recent years we've had Kevin Gallen, Julian Joachim, Noel Whelan, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Emile Heskey, Michael Branch, and Robbie so I've seen plenty of talent. Robbie came through the same young England set-up and was in the 1993 team that won the European Championship. That was his springboard to prominence but comparing them at the same age, Michael is better than Robbie."
The only cloud is a fiery temperament that has sometimes landed Owen in trouble. Says Powell: "Michael's very sensible but he used to be a bit impetuous. Sometimes he reacted too quickly to a bad foul but he's learning.
"He's ahead of Robbie in many ways but Fowler's proved in the Premiership he can deliver goals consistently. I've no doubt Michael will do the same.
"He's already made a good start, but you always have to be careful with young players. I remember Rod Thomas at Watford. He was a kid who seemed to have everything, a wonderful talent. The last I heard he was in the reserves at Carlisle. That shows there are no guarantees in football."
Owen's already proved in the recent World Youth Championships in Malaysia that he can perform on the global stage. A truly wonderful goal against Mexico was evidence of that, but Powell was just as proud of the way he handled himself off the pitch.
He explained: "Michael is so mature I allowed him to speak to the media in Malaysia, even though he was the youngest in the squad.
"Like Alan Shearer, he handled himself superbly and that was a credit to the lad, his family and Liverpool."
Copyright - The People
That was all it took for the teenager to convince the England coaches they'd just witnessed a genius at work.
The venue was Lilleshall just a few weeks ago as coach Ted Powell oversaw a get-together of 40 of England's finest under-18s. Says Powell: "We had a little competition among the strikers with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
"The forwards had to run from 30 yards out and beat the goalkeeper - but they only had four seconds in which to score. Michael was sensational and won the competition hands down.
"He displayed such coolness and clinical finishing that no-one could get near him - it was unbelievable.
"He knew the clock was ticking but he stayed calm and composed and remained totally focused on what he was doing. Even with the keeper sprinting off his line to close him down, Michael gave him no chance.
"It was probably the finest demonstration of finishing I've ever seen and it just reaffirmed my belief that if his progress continues he may become one of football's greatest strikers."
Powell, responsible for guiding the cream of England's youngsters towards Glenn Hoddle's Under-21 squad, is convinced Owen is the best striker he's ever worked with - and that includes Owen's Kop mate Robbie Fowler.
He said: "In recent years we've had Kevin Gallen, Julian Joachim, Noel Whelan, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Emile Heskey, Michael Branch, and Robbie so I've seen plenty of talent. Robbie came through the same young England set-up and was in the 1993 team that won the European Championship. That was his springboard to prominence but comparing them at the same age, Michael is better than Robbie."
The only cloud is a fiery temperament that has sometimes landed Owen in trouble. Says Powell: "Michael's very sensible but he used to be a bit impetuous. Sometimes he reacted too quickly to a bad foul but he's learning.
"He's ahead of Robbie in many ways but Fowler's proved in the Premiership he can deliver goals consistently. I've no doubt Michael will do the same.
"He's already made a good start, but you always have to be careful with young players. I remember Rod Thomas at Watford. He was a kid who seemed to have everything, a wonderful talent. The last I heard he was in the reserves at Carlisle. That shows there are no guarantees in football."
Owen's already proved in the recent World Youth Championships in Malaysia that he can perform on the global stage. A truly wonderful goal against Mexico was evidence of that, but Powell was just as proud of the way he handled himself off the pitch.
He explained: "Michael is so mature I allowed him to speak to the media in Malaysia, even though he was the youngest in the squad.
"Like Alan Shearer, he handled himself superbly and that was a credit to the lad, his family and Liverpool."
Copyright - The People
