Should Beckham be picked for England?
Fabio Capello names his first England squad this weekend for the forthcoming friendly against Switzerland. There is eager anticipation to see which new players will be selected and which of the old guard will be left out.
However, not for the first time in relation to the national side, the name on everyones lips is David Beckham. Will his old manager at Real Madrid select him for this friendly?
The reason this is such a major talking point at this time of course is that Becks sits on 99 England Caps. He is desperate to join the 100 club currently occupied by Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright.
There are two questions to be answered here. Does Becks deserve to picked on merit? Does Becks deserve to be picked for the sentimental value?
The answer to the first question is probably no. The thirty-two year old superstar hasn’t played a league game since he came on as a second half substitute for LA Galaxy on 21st October. His last competitive game of any sort was the disastrous England defeat against Croatia when he also made a second half substitute appearance.
Whilst there is no doubting his ability, and his fitness should be good as he has been training with Arsenal since the turn of the year, there are other more worthy candidates for that role on the right hand side.
Following our awful qualification campaign for this summer’s Euros, we have to look to the future and the next world cup. It is very unlikely that Becks will be involved in that campaign, and younger players like Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon and Ashley Young need to be given a chance now.
In my opinion the answer to the second question is a resounding yes. Becks has represented his country with pride, skill and determination. His performances at the major championships have not been what he would have wanted, but injury has played a major part in that. Who can forget his cross for Shearer to score the winner against Germany in 2000, the part he played in the 5-1 win in Germany in 2001, his successful penalty against Argentina in 2002, and the way he took England to qualification single handedly in that match at Old Trafford against Greece.
Becks has been a humble and respected captain of his country for a long time. He has represented the world of football well at a time of scandal and intrigue. He thoroughly deserves his 100th cap.
The only person who can stop him from achieving this milestone is Fabio Capello. Does he seem like the sentimental type to you?
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Discussion - 13 Responses
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Becks should definitely be capped against Switzerland for his 100th. If he doesn’t now, I can not see waiting any longer. At least at this point, the aforementioned right sided players are young (Lennon, Young), or in SWP’s case, not receiving ample first team opportunities. The time for Becks is now, and the time for the youngsters is next game. As a National Side Manager, 2 things come into play; Fielding the best side, and pleasing the fans. It is a judgment call, but to me, Capello is obligated to giving the historic milestone to a player who gave so much to England. It is safe to say that he will not be going after 101, since he has opted to play his club ball in the US, but he deserves 100. Hell, he can be subbed at half anyways.
Steve - agree that Beckham should play, but your comment about Wright-Phillips is outdated. SWP has played more games for Chelsea this season than any other player except for Joe Cole, and few would dispute the fact that he has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season.
Probably not worth the fuss from the English fans to keep him off - just give him that 100 cap and be done with it - can’t hurt to give him a chance under Capello in this capacity anyway.
Even if Beckham will not be picked to start games, he should not be omitted from the squad altogether. He does deserve his 100th cap, but I would not be very much happy if I were in his place and I knew that it is only given to me on sentimental value and not merit. He can be a backup player for Bentley and eventually he will make another deserved appearance.
To answer your question, Capello is not the sentimantal type, at least that is the impression which he gives me, but he will not make the same mistake twice. Beckham will be picked.
Graham:
Mr. Capello admitted that he mishandled Becks last year at Real Madrid, and was smart enough to put him back in the side during their stretch run.
Capello is not sentimental. Although from a public relations point of view, given a player of Beckham’s magnitude, it would seem that the choice would be rather easy to make. But Capello looks at the larger picture. He could care less if public sentiment goes against him. For this decision, or any other. He is results-oriented. As Andrei noted, it is a decision of merit.
I believe that Beckham merits his 100th cap. They both nurture a great deal of respect for each other. If he is not selected, it would surprise me if Beckham publicly criticizes Capello.
“I understood that I had to demonstrate all of my professionalism, and in the end Capello admitted that he was wrong in how he handled me. It pleased me that he had recognized his error, but he never came to me and said ‘I’m sorry David, I was wrong.’ In every way I don’t feel that I have to criticize him, because I have a great deal of respect for him.” Gazzetta dello Sport, 24 June 2007
Of course. Beckham has been fantastic on the england squad. without him on the squad there is no england. Like match against croatica as soon as he came in they scored.
The fact is,to people with an understand of this game and its history in england,a player as insignificant and mediocre as Beckham joining the genunely top players who inhabot the 100 club would be a gross insult to the game.However,in some ways,a more fitting representation of the deluded “golden generation” than have Beckham-its ultimate figure-represent it would be hard to find.A player who was always found to be so violently out of his depth when those big era defining matches came,does in no way belong with players he wont be fit to clean the boots of in the next life.I hope for the dignity of this once great old football nation,it never,ever occurs.
class is permanent but age does catch up. of course, he’ll be in the squad, can come as a sub.
what “class” is that-quarter-final bottler “class”?Or go to real madrid and help turn them from european champions into european no-hopers “class”.A fancifully overhyped 5 times tournament flop who has no right to even grovel at the feet of the likes of charlton,wright,shilton and moore,let alone deem himself in anyway an “equal” of such figures.
:))this is so funny. Pedroella has relly got something against Beckham.In this generation tell me what other players deserve an 100 cap? Probablly it bothers you that he is more of a money magnet rather then a player,but he still is a figure that marked this part of Englands existence so he most defentlly deserve’s it.And tell me something else:one player who’s crosses are better than Beck’s.This is the way football is played in england so stop complaining and if he is the best for this style why not 100?why not 200?:))
I will always be amazed to hear viewpoints such as pedroella’s. I guarantee had Beckham been any other player these very people would be begging for his inclusion in the squad. What I mean by that is, too often I hear about him being a poser/model/mega celebrity etc, to which I say: WHAT IN THE HELL OF IT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH FOOTBALL. Last I checked he never harmed anyone so lets concentrate on what he does on the pitch. He gives 200% for his team in the pitch, shows great leadership and composure and none can dispute his delivery. HE IS NOT A ONE-TRICK PONY, maybe if he had pathetic control, could not defend for his life but that is just not true.
“A player who was always found to be so violently out of his depth when those big era defining matches came … ”
Umm, yeah sure the pressure of having to score a free-kick to take your side to the World-Cup FINALS, in what was sure to be the last chance of the game does not qualify as a DEFINING MOMENT. That too at Old Trafford, with thousands of England fans watching. Cut him some slack will you, if people could just perform their best at big games what a great world it would be, but sorry to shatter your dreams.
Place yourself under the pressure he faced taking that penalty against Argentina. People “hanged” him, he was ridiculed and shamed by an entire country. What must he have been thinking standing there staring at the goal, against such a major rival? THAT is what is called composure. And DON’T quote games where he did not perform his best, all great players have bad games and sometimes those games are big. Baggio anyone?
When our grandchildren read about Beckham and ask if you were ever lucky enough to see him play go ahead and say with pride, “I used to think he was shit”
Or go to real madrid and help turn them from european champions into european no-hopers “class”.
Real Madrid’s fall from grace had more to do with a combination of their galactico policy and the departure of makalele rather than beckham’s arrival.Their downslide had beccome apparent even before his arrival.Beckham infact helped them win the league last year with his inspiring form.
Im glad you also display less knowledge than that of the new england manager who has decided to pick his ssquad on the basis of form and suitability and not a deluded obsession with a player who even at his peak was so far out his depth and never made an impact on even 1 of his 5 tournaments.The fact remains Capello is our manager,a man who has done it everywhere and hes made the right call and he knows more about this game than the rest of you put together.Good afternoon!:)