Henchoz: Spain improved Owen
Stephane Henchoz fears Michael Owen is now a far better player than during their time together at Liverpool.
Wigan centre-back Henchoz will have the task of stopping former Reds team-mate Owen when Newcastle face an in-form Latics side on Saturday as the Premiership newcomers have surpassed all expectations, taking 13 points from the last 15.
Since both players left Anfield – Henchoz in January this year, and Owen last summer – the duo have embarked on differing career paths that converge again at the JJB Stadium.
Switzerland international Henchoz joined Celtic on a short-term deal in the transfer window before being signed by Paul Jewell at the end of July.
Owen, meanwhile, endured a season of struggle at Real Madrid last term, yet continued to score goals, but with England ambitions high, his demands for a Premier League return were met by Newcastle splashing out around £17m (€24.9m).
Wigan also made a cheeky, yet determined £10m (€14.6m) bid of their own, yet Henchoz is not surprised to be facing Owen this weekend rather than lining up alongside him.
“When I read Wigan were trying to sign Michael I didn’t know if it was just paper talk, or where it had come from,” said Henchoz, who has formed a solid central defensive pairing with captain Arjan de Zeeuw since his arrival.
“But I had a chat with the manager [Paul Jewell] and he told me it was something that could happen.
“I thought that Michael, in coming from Real Madrid, is not the type of player who would want to come to Wigan.
“Of course, I would love to have played alongside him again. Playing with someone who can score goals in every single game, anybody would love that.”
Henchoz appreciates he faces arguably his toughest test since joining Wigan, with Owen in the goals since linking up with Alan Shearer to form what he describes as “a formidable partnership”.
He added: “It is one of the best in the Premier League. They are two tremendous goalscorers, so that tells you how hard it is going to be.
“You could say I have an advantage after playing alongside Michael for five years with Liverpool, but he also knows me as well, and I also think he is now an improved player.
“Although he was only there one season and it wasn’t his best, when you go abroad you always learn something, and he still scored in many of the games in which he was asked to play.
“I’m sure he is now even stronger than he was, while playing up front with Shearer will help him even further.
“But if we keep doing what we have been doing in the last few weeks, then I think we can do something great.”
Henchoz, meanwhile, is refusing to give up on the possibility of one final crack with Switzerland, despite the fact he has not been selected for the last six months.
The Swiss last night clinched a play-off place with their goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland, and while Henchoz insists his priority is Wigan at present, he is not throwing in the towel on his international career – and possibly the World Cup finals.
“We will see what happens because first of all we have to qualify through the play-offs, which will be very tough when you see the teams they could draw tomorrow,” added Henchoz.
“I also want to get back to my best after the disappointment of last season. I have to be playing first-team football and playing well.
“Of course it would be nice to play in the World Cup, but we will see at Christmas what the situation is.”
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