{
  "id": 11331708,
  "title": "Michael Owen says football risks losing its natural artists",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/michael-owen-says-football-risks-losing-its-natural-artists",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:00:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1545955/michael-owen-says-football-risks-losing-its-natural-artists"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former England striker Michael Owen has expressed concern that football is losing its natural artistic flair in favor of pure athleticism. The 2001 Ballon d'Or winner argues that modern players are being heavily overcoached, which diminishes their instinctive flair. Owen believes the tactical demands of contemporary football have shifted the balance away from technical genius towards physical work-rate. While the overall physical standard of the sport has peaked, Owen contends that this has come at a cost, with players today being more athletes than artists. He notes that this shift would have excluded several legendary figures of the past, including those who were technically amazing but lacked the physicality to compete in today's game. Owen also highlights the physical toll of modern football, pointing to the grueling 60-game campaigns imposed on teenage sensations like Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo. He dismisses the comparison to his own early career, noting that muscle injuries were a common issue in his family, making it difficult to attribute any potential shortening of his peak to excessive playing. Owen also discusses the evolution of modern squad management, noting that today's managers have resources from his generation that would only dream of. Despite the increased workload, Owen has no regrets about his professional decisions, including his move to Manchester United in 2009. He emphasizes that football is a job, and fans must understand that moving to a different club is part of the job.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Former England striker Michael Owen has warned that football risks losing its natural artists to pure athleticism, arguing that modern players are being heavily “overcoached” to the detriment of instinctive flair.",
  "key_points": [
    "Michael Owen fears football losing artistic flair for athleticism.",
    "Modern players overcoached, instinctive flair diminished.",
    "Tactical demands shift balance towards physical work-rate."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The trend towards prioritizing athleticism over artistic flair in football means natural talents like those of the past may struggle to thrive in the modern game.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}