Sentiment is often known to cloud good judgment. As England tune up for next year's European Championship with a couple of Wembley friendlies, Alex Ferguson is among the respected voices calling for the unlikely return of Michael Owen to the national set-up. It seems a little far-fetched to suggest the soon-to-be 32-year-old striker will be welcomed back with open arms ahead of Euro 2012.
Owen has not represented his nation since 2008 and is a bit-part player at Manchester United where he is recovering from his latest injury - a thigh problem. Yet Ferguson believes there is no-one better than Owen when it comes to producing a goal out of nothing.
If the former Liverpool forward's that good, then why is he the fifth choice man up-front at Old Trafford? If there's no one better, why has Owen made only one league start in the past two seasons - against Sunderland in October last year when he was substituted after 45 minutes?
With a shared passion for horse racing, Ferguson clearly enjoys having Owen around the Carrington training ground and probably believes he is a luxury he can afford.
But to suggest that Owen should displace the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Bobby Zamora for England is ludicrous, even if Wayne Rooney will be missing for the start of the Euros.
Fabio Capello is not right about many things, but he was spot-on when he sidelined Owen soon after taking over as national manager in January 2008. A series of injuries means the only England player to have scored in four major tournaments has long been a pale shadow of his former self.
The stats don't lie. Since joining Manchester United in 2009, Owen has just five goals in 31 league appearances and 17 in 52 in all competitions, inflated by seven goals in seven games in the League Cup against the likes of Aldershot Town and Leeds United.