Michael Owen has drawn a distinction between Erling Haaland's terrifying physical presence and Harry Kane's complete footballing ability, stating he would always select Kane to lead a team. Owen acknowledges that as a defender, he would "lose more sleep" over facing Haaland due to his sheer size, strength, and speed, which can make defenders feel "completely helpless."
Haaland's attributes, such as his ability to outmuscle opponents, win foot races, or beat defenders in one-on-one situations, are what create defensive anxiety. Owen noted that the pre-match preparation for a team facing Norway would likely center on containing Haaland, citing the challenges Brazil's Gabriel faced against the striker.
However, Owen contends that Kane possesses a more rounded skillset, making him the more valuable player overall. "Harry doesn't possess one freakish attribute that strikes fear into defenders, a trait where they go to bed thinking, 'Oh my God, this guy will make me look silly tomorrow'," Owen explained. Instead, Kane excels in "just about everything," including his first touch, link-up play, movement, football intelligence, ability to win fouls, awareness of teammates, passing range, and finishing, all of which are rated highly.
Owen pointed out that while Haaland's power is intimidating, it also highlights areas where he is less complete. "Haaland's touch can be loose. His link-up play isn't particularly refined. He's not someone who drops into midfield and dictates attacks in the way Kane does," he observed. These aspects, he argued, are precisely what make Kane the "complete footballer."
Regarding strategies to counter Haaland, Owen suggested that the best defense for an opponent like England is to control possession. "The best way of defending Haaland is to make sure Norway don't have the ball," he stated. He advocates for dominating possession in the opponent's half, forcing Haaland to expend energy chasing shadows rather than being a direct threat. While acknowledging the need for goalkeepers to be alert to counter-attacks, Owen stressed that "fear" should not dictate a team's game plan.
Owen also touched on penalty-taking, suggesting that top players don't necessarily make the best takers. He noted that while players like Messi, Mbappe, and Kane are elite, penalties are as much about temperament as skill. He praised Ivan Toney for his calmness and commitment to his process. For Kane, Owen believes he strikes an "ideal balance" between power and accuracy, making his goals often appear simpler than they are.