Owen One Of The "Chosen Few"

However, Sven-Goran Eriksson declared England possessed 10 of the world's 50 best players, and obviously our Michael Owen is one of them, and he voiced his undiluted faith in his team's ability to make a big impact at the World Cup finals.

"We have at least 10 world star players, top players who could be among the best 50 in the world. We also have 13 or 14 who have been - or are - the captain in their club teams. It's really up to them to show leadership, even if they don't have the armband.

"If you think the captain should always be the man talking, I have seen many goalkeepers as the captain and that's a good position when they are defending deep in the box.

"Last season, we played good football more or less all the time. This season, something went wrong and that's our fault. We have to put it right. What I talked to the players about at the start of the week, they put right. I am very happy about that. We will be ready at the start of June."