Michael Owen interview, part 1: Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, Arda Güler, Ronaldo, Beckham

AS USA sat down with Michael Owen to speak about his time at Real Madrid and the current climate at the club.

The morning sun curiously pokes around the corner to ask what we’re doing up at this time and eyes are being rubbed as Michael Owen’s smiling face plonks down in front of me. “This is how I like it, a late night and up early”, he says. We’re good to go, then.

We dive right in. Real Madrid beat Celta Vigo last weekend and it’s been another remarkable match day in the LaLiga title race. Los Blancos continue their dominance at the top of the table - but not everyone has been smiling.

Arda Güler, the young Turkish midfielder signed from Fenerbahce in the summer, has not seen a lot of minutes due to injuries and the depth of talent in the Madrid ranks. However, he got his first goal for the club, against the Galicians, and all of a sudden, things are looking up.

“I’d like to say I had first hand experience”, says Owen, who has anticipated my next sentence no flies on him at this time of the day - “but I didn’t really when I was 17-years-old.

Güler turned 19-years-old a couple of weeks ago. By this age Owen was already two years into his professional contract with Liverpool, and just three years away from winning the Ballon d’Or. “It’s a balance when you’re a young kid”, he responds to whether or not Güler is justified in (reportedly) being upset.

“You can go and play every week for a lesser team”, Owen continues “or you can learn the ropes, train and play with some of the great players. “That’s an invaluable experience”.

“The best example”, he adds, unprompted, now in the flow as I tip up the empty second coffee mug in front of me, “I suppose at the moment is Phil Foden. And in England, at Manchester City, his numbers - I