England star threatened to break my legs as soon as the match started – it’s part of the game, says Michael Owen

MICHAEL OWEN has revealed Stuart Pearce once threatened to break his legs as soon as the match began.

The pair played together for England on two occasions during Euro 2000 qualifying.

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However, there was no love lost when they met Newcastle and Liverpool at club level.

Owen believes this is part of the game, after discussing the recent incident between Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

The midfielder tackled his Three Lions captain before scoring a penalty in last week’s Champions League semi-final first leg between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Kane later revealed he didn’t know what Bellingham said, before saying he knew which way he would go after the match.

Giving his opinion on the incident, Owen said Games zone: “Bellingham’s attempt to push Harry Kane away didn’t offend me, and if you’re going to do that to someone, then I think Kane is the last person to do that. He probably just brushes it off because he’s so cool under pressure.

“No one has ever tried to remove me before a penalty. I always remember Stuart Pearce trying to put a few words in my ear as soon as the kick-off started, you run into position and he comes and marks me.

“I always remember him playing for Newcastle, coming up and telling me what was going to happen that day. One or two will say certain things in your career, but that happens very rarely.

“He said something about breaking my legs. It’s part of the game, people try to intimidate you, we are playing with high stakes.

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“When the crowd sings songs to the players and they feel like they need to react, that they need to put on a show, I just think it’s a weak mentality. I have never, ever felt the need to say things to other players to try to intimidate or react. for crowds.

“A bit like Harry Kane. Look at his reaction yesterday, it’s like he didn’t listen. He’s so focused, I’m sure some people get excited and get carried away to get an advantage, but it wasn’t for me.”

Kane and Bellingham will be key men for Gareth Southgate in Germany this summer.

England aims to go one step further than the previous Euro, ending the 58-year wait for a major international trophy.

The Three Lions face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in the group stage, with the first match scheduled for June 16.

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Southgate’s final line-up must be finalized before June 7, the same day as the final friendly against Iceland.

His team will also face Bosnia and Herzegovina at St. James’ Park four days earlier.

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