Eriksson: Owen is my 'goal thief'

The England coach made the unique claim when asked what it is that makes the 23-year-old so special. Whether it's stealing an extra yard of space from unsuspecting defenders or forcefully taking the spotlight as only he can, Owen has proved that he always lives up to the mantle placed upon him by the Swedish coach.

"In Sweden we use the expression 'goal thief' and Michael Owen is a real thief of goals," explained the England boss.

"He's unique. I can't recall in my career ever having had someone like Owen. He's always there, in the right position to score vital goals for you.

"Even when, as sometimes happens, he's not the best player on the pitch you know that he will create and score goals for you - and I think that is his biggest gift.

"He has pace, he's clever. His reading of the game is exceptional - if a defender makes one mistake he is there. We haven't even seen the best of him. He's only 23 and he's going to get better and better. He doesn't need to, but by nature he will improve."

"If you compare Owen's fitness in the second half against Slovakia to how he finished the World Cup, it's completely different.

"Towards the end of the World Cup, Owen was struggling and of course as a manager you wonder should he play or not. But you take a chance, don't you? Players like Owen are exceptional."