Michael Owen has denied that Chicharito plays the same way he did at 22-years-old, instead claiming that the Mexican striker is just a better version of how Owen plays today.

“I wouldn’t say he is similar to how I was in the early stages of my career,” he said. “But with injuries and the way I have adapted my game, he is probably quite similar to what I do now, apart from he is a bit sharper. He is 10 years younger of course, so maybe he is a better version of the current Michael Owen. Javier has been the surprise package this year without a doubt. He is certainly sharp and is a cracking lad as well. That probably isn’t that important to the people who just want to see him scoring goals but it is important for those who are around him and at the club in general.”