Abandon it like Beckham
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This article was first published at World Football Commentaries.
Recently, David Beckham disclosed that he may return to Europe after the MLS season is over. Some in the media, both mainstream and soccer-specific, have criticized this potential move.
It actually makes a lot of sense for Becks.
Here are a few reasons why:
- He rests between early September and January. That’s 4 months and is far longer than a regular European player receives.
- He then arrives to Tottenham, Fulham, Newcastle, ManCity, Aston Villa by the middle of December, has Christmas with the family, and trains with his new club for a few weeks. Then he is ready to go after the New Year when the Premiership is loaded with fixtures and all clubs need depth.
- If England is through to the Euro 08, he returns to the US for about six weeks, then goes back to England for their training camp. ESPN has the broadcasting rights, and they can promote it massively.
- He then returns to the US as an MLS registered player without having to wait for the summer transfer window to open whenever England is knocked out (i.e., the group stage).
For MLS:
It gets the “relevance/acceptance” factor - the guy can still play on a high level. It uses his BPL play as promotion for the 2008 season, and then still gets to use him once the season begins.
For ESPN/2:
Should England make it to European finals, the network will have a Beckham based Euro bonanza. It may even send Dave O’Brien over there to make sure the word Beckham is pronounced every two minutes on the dot. Plus, it will enjoy the renewed hype upon his return (hopefully, with his ankles intact) to the US.
For England:
Steve McLaren actually gets to train someone with a crossing ability to find the heads of Peter Crouch and Michael Owen. The Beckhamania takes away the attention away from Steve’s rather dubious coaching ability and tenuous hold on his job. Plus, if England fails to achieve Euro glory, there’s a convenient fall guy.
For His English Club:
Whichever English team lands him - a lot of £££’s. Is that not enough? Okay, here’s some more - £££££.
For Next Coach of the Galaxy:
Now he’ll only have to find nine more players (GK Joe Cannon is solid) to field a competitive LA Galaxy squad for 2008.
So, this is basically a win-win-win-win-win-win situation.
Where do I sign up?
This article is a submission for the Soccerlens Football Writing Competition; to participate, please read the details here.
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Discussion - 8 Responses
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Hmmm… Will not be Man City, Fulham or Villa… Unless Spuds and Newcastle will pay big bucks then I cannot see him going to either…
I have heard he also is training o Arsenal and that is a fact.. some ypunger england players (the or 3 we have at th Emirates!) said “It will be great to train with David Beckham, he is such a great footballer and has a lot of experience to share with us all here”, But There have been some serious whispers of him coming to play for us… We could land him but I hope it does not come out of that apperent 70 Mil Arsene has for new players…..
It would be OKAY for him to play with us, but I have no fear that Arsene Wenger wll place him on our Starting XI instead of a better Arsenal player, he will give one of our 100% commited if yo will, the game..
But it might be an okay marketing ploy with repica kits and all… And for UK fans to see Becks in an english team kit again.
Last I heard, Beckham and his manager both said that he is in LA to stay. He was not interested in going back to England in the off-season. If this is not the case anymore, and he changed his mind I think it would be great for him and the fans. But I doubt LA would allow another non-MLS injury to their greatest marketing tool.
I like this: nicely broken up + easy to read. I totally disagree with central premise tho: Galaxy wud be mad to let a £250m asset fool around in premiership during their off-season imo
Beckham’s main problem right now is that he didn’t have any rest between La Liga and MLS. He had to turn it back in gear for training right after La Liga.
Your suggestion that the Galaxy send him back out now to play for 5 months ahead of the full MLS season, which is the only thing that matters to the Galaxy, is frankly absurd.
I do respect the angle though, and it makes some sense, but it will never happen because both Becks and the Galaxy will kabosh it.
Beckham is an alleged $250M value (over 5 years)to himself.
It’s harder to pin his value to the Galaxy. According to AEG, he is bringing the company more than he costs ($6.5M/Y .. eh, not counting the doctor’s bills) but other teams (especially those with big stadium - the Revolution and the Red Bulls) may in fact benefit more since they are not on the hook for Dave’s salary.
Ultimately, this will come down to what Beckham and his family wants to do.
If England qualifies for the Euros, McLaren will require Becks to attend the pre-tournament camp. Plus, England will probably get through to the knock-out rounds (a one- legged Michael Owen can still put a bulge in the old onion bag, to use a cliche) and that will take six or so weeks out of Dave’s MLS season.
And then there are FIFA windows …
But, at least, this will give Lalas a litany of brand new excuses.
Thanks for all the comments.
I’d put the odds are of him either staying in the US or going to England solely for light work-outs at 90%.
Still, you never know.
He never should have gone to the MLS, but meh.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=475013&cc=5901
Now, there are rumors that Becks will return to England but only to “train” with a team near his home/estate.
Hypothetically, this could turn into a short-term loan.
LA would expect him back for the pre-season camp and whatever friendlies Lalas (if he’s still in charge) and AEG will manage to scrounge up.
It appears that Dan’s last comment has come into fruition.
Today, it was announced that Beckham will return to England. He will not play in any competitive fixtures, but will train with Arsenal.