 Hargreaves has won 29 caps for England |
Owen Hargreaves' selection for England's World Cup squad is entirely justified, according to former Cologne and England star Tony Woodcock.
The Bayern Munich midfielder was named in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man squad despite never quite cementing his England place in 29 appearances.
Woodcock, who still has business and media interests in Germany, insists the 25-year-old deserves his call-up.
"It doesn't surprise me at all because he's a very good footballer," he said.
"Saying it's ridiculous he's in the squad is for me unheard of, he's such a good player."
Hargreaves, who moved to Bayern Munich from Canada in 1997, has become a first-team regular this term, shrugging off injury to make 16 Bundesliga appearances and scoring in the semi-final as his side went on to claim the German league and Cup double.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the Bayern Munich chairman and German football legend, said: "Owen Hargreaves has changed a lot in a very positive direction.
"His game is much more effective now and he has become a vital member of the team."
 |  There's a lot of footballing experience out there who regard Owen Hargreaves as a very good footballer |
But Hargreaves' England selection prompted the Daily Telegraph's football correspondent Henry Winter to say he "can count himself lucky to be on board", while former England manager Graham Taylor also questioned his inclusion.
"I think you win trophies by your goalscorers and quite honestly I would have liked to have seen a fifth forward in there. I thought perhaps we might see a forward in place of Hargreaves," Taylor told BBC Radio Five Live.
But Woodcock, the former Nottingham Forest and Arsenal star who broke the German transfer record when he moved to Cologne for �500,000 in 1979, said playing regularly for Bayern Munich was pedigree enough.
 Hargreaves has cemented his place in the Bayern Munich first team |
"The times Owen has performed for England, the fans haven't seen him at his best, but they don't really know a lot about him or don't know the Bayern Munich management team and trainer who are picking him week-in, week-out," he said.
"You don't play for Bayern Munich - and they've got a star-studded line-up - in one of the leading teams, let alone clubs, in Europe with having any sort of qualities.
"To be playing in the same midfield as Michael Ballack says a hell of a lot and I'm sure Owen has outshone him a few times this season.
"Owen has been there a few years and is still highly thought of by a lot of people who are considered experts in the game, from Bayern officials Franz Beckenbauer, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness down to coach Felix Magath.
"There's a lot of footballing experience out there who regard Owen Hargreaves as a very good footballer."
| Hargreaves' strengths may be his weakness |
Woodcock did, though, admit that Hargreaves may be hampered by his usefulness as cover in defence as well as midfield.
"His strengths may be his weakness," said Woodcock, who won 42 caps for England between 1978 and 1986.
"Owen can play in a number of positions, though his best position may be central midfield. He has a very good engine and can keep going for 90 minutes, no problem.
"He's aggressive with it and can play as well, so he's got a lot of qualities as a footballer.
"When you've got someone who can play a number of positions they tend to be played where they're needed. That can be a little bit detrimental sometimes for a player of his kind.
"England have got a midfield that looks very strong so you can't see him starting at the moment but he is one of those players that you can throw in any position. If not Owen Hargreaves, then who else?"
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
News conference: Owen Hargreaves