Michael Owen lauds Bayern Munich's 'exceptional' Jamal Musiala and discusses Jude Bellingham comparisons

Michael Owen has lauded Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala and says it was "a shame he chose to play for Germany over England."

The German champions faced Galatasaaray on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League and the 20-year-old star was a stand-out for his side, providing an assist for Harry Kane before getting on the scoresheet himself in a 3-1 win in Istanbul.

Musiala has risen to become one of European football’s most exciting young prospects and has continued his excellent run of form from last season to score twice in the Bundesliga and once in the Champions League at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

The attacking midfielder spent some of his early football years learning his trade in Southampton and Chelsea’s academies while representing England at youth level, before he opted to play for Germany.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday night's game, TNT Sports expert Owen was asked to give his opinion on the talent Musiala possesses.

“I think he’s exceptional,” the former Liverpool and Manchester United star said.

“Really exceptional. It’s such a shame he chose Germany over England when he was picking his national team. I thought he was brilliant in the last major tournament.”

Musiala made his debut for Die Mannschaft in 2021 and has since gone on to earn 25 caps for Germany, returning two goals.

He played a pivotal part for Hansi Flick’s side at the 2022 World Cup, appearing in all three of their group matches, notably setting up Niclas Fullkrug's equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Spain.

While his playing style has been compared to that of England star Jude Bellingham, Owen lumped praise on the midfielder, claiming his dribbling is "unbelievable."

“I mean, lots of people are comparing him to Bellingham at the moment,” Owen added.

“I think he’s a different player, he might play in a similar position - but I think he’s a different type of player. He’s an incredible runner of the ball. He’s just unbelievable when it comes to dribbling - I mean he’s got the lot this lad.”

Bellingham has had an equally impressive start to life at the Bernabeu, scoring 10 goals across 11 matches in La Liga and the Champions League.

TNT Sports pundit Martin Keown echoed Owens thoughts.

“He [Musiala] is so graceful when he receives that ball. He’s got everything in his game and is just a great player to watch,” Keown added before Bayern’s clash against Galatasaray.

Adding on comparisons between the two players, the former Arsenal defender said: “They’re both very good players, but Musiala runs really well with the ball.

“He’s a great dribbler, high pace. But he’s making the game look really easy. So for these players, it would have been wonderful to think we could have had them in the same England team.”

Giving his assessment of how both could have featured in Gareth Southgate’s starting XI, he said: “Bellingham would have probably played deeper but he is not doing too bad either. He’s a decent player.

“We’d be greedy if we’d have had all of them."

Keown also claimed that Harry Kane will look to Musiala to support him up top, in a similar combination to his partnership with Son Heung-min at Tottenham.

“When he [Kane] was at Spurs, he had Son didn’t he, who was finding him and had that special relationship," said Keown.

“I think maybe Musiala is the one that will maybe do that for him. But there are so many good players in that Bayern team, [Kingsley] Coman at the top of the team, [Leroy] Sane. Great talents all around them.

“That is why of course Harry Kane has gone there because he wants these great players to take him to the next level.”

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