MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 14:24:08| >> :120:6466:6466:

John Aldridge 'not surprised' by Michael Owen's retirement

Aldridge 'not surprised' by Owen retirement
© PA Photos
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge suggests that Michael Owen's retirement announcement was expected.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has admitted he is 'not surprised' that Michael Owen has decided to call time on his football career.

The former England international, who broke through the ranks at Anfield at the age of 17, claimed that it was the "right time" to "bring the curtain down" on a 17-year career in the sport.

"I'm not unduly surprised to be honest," Aldridge told Sky Sports News. "His problems with injuries must have been frustrating for him. But he can concentrate on horse racing now!

"He was phenomenal. In his early days he scared defences with his burst of pace and then when he scored that magnificent goal for England the world got to know about him.

"He's right up there with all the [England] greats, Jimmy Greaves, Rodger Hunt, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker. He never let [England] down and I think England struggled when he stopped playing for them."

The 33-year-old admitted on Twitter that he was "overwhelmed" by the reaction to his decision.

ID:74969: cacheID:74969:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1945:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen
Read Next:
Owen to retire in the summer
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!