After seeing almost every qualified English midfielder ruled out of today's game against Germany, David Beckham must have thought that he would finally get a chance to don those English colors.
After all, he has 107 English caps to his name, one short of equalling that famous Bobby Moore record of 108. And, with this being a friendly match, surely Fabio Capello would be kind enough to hand him such an honor.
Alas, it is a pity that Capello is running a football team and not a charity organization.
Beckham will not expect any favors from Capello today. With Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and even young upstart Theo Walcott out, Beckham's mobile still did not reflect a call from the England coach.
If this isn't a sign of a career in its twilight, I don't know what is.
Once considered an indispensable member of the England national team, Beckham's name has been a notable omission from England's list in recent times. And it doesn't help that Beckham has had an acrimonious relationship with the new England boss, Capello.
Anybody who follows football will remember how Capello did not have a very favorable view of Beckham back in Real Madrid. After Beckham signed a blockbuster £128million ($250 million) five-year deal with the LA Galaxy in January 2007, Capello announced that Beckham will never again play for Real Madrid.
However, Beckham went on and played for Real Madrid again. In recent days, Capello did tell A.C. Milan that Beckham will make a "great acquisition."
Beckham has a great work rate and professionalism. Even Capello recognizes this. Hence, his omission from the squad today has no reason to do with Capello. If Beckham plays, England can be sure that he will give his 110 percent.
So what is the cause?
I suspect the most obvious reason will be the fact that Beckham is not getting any younger. At 33, he is no spring chicken. After watching the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young shred Arsenal's defence to pieces, Capello has options after all and he doesn't need to rely on Beckham.
Besides, Capello has seen enough of him. Beckham's illustrious England career speaks volumes.
But to discuss this further will be to obfuscate the bigger picture that is—Beckham should hang up his boots.
Beckham is fast becoming a liability for England. By prolonging the inevitable end, Beckham is merely using England for his personal satisfaction of seeing his name in the record books. So what if he is capped more times than former England captain Moore?
The truth is in the last 10 or so matches leading to this record, Beckham has not been effectively contributing to the progress of this England squad. Worst still, by remaining in the side, he is actually denying a potential young upstart from breaking into the ranks of the England national squad.
As 1966 World Cup winner Martin Peters said, "David Beckham has been great for the country and has been a great captain, but I think it is the time to maybe look elsewhere, to the future."
And nothing can be further from this truth.
Yes, Beckham has been great for England. That memorable free kick against Greece from 35 yards out to help England qualify for the World Cup is still replaying in the minds of many English fans.
However, anymore second fiddle performances will erase whatever pleasant memories that we have about Beckham. And in its place it will be filled with a brooding and pathetic figure who would have been better off having a drink by the beach in the Bahamas watching a replay of all his past performances.
So Beckham, thanks for your contribution to England. You have already achieved legendary status.
Just do all England fans a favour, read this latest omission from the England squad as a sign that you are already a surplus to requirements and gracefully make your exit.
I am pretty sure that fans will love you more.
25 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Barney 7 months ago
Gotta disagree - I still think Beckham can do a great job for England. He is still one of the best dead ball and passing players in the game, and is guarenteed to create at least 2 or 3 chances per game. He was omitted from the latest squad becuase he hasn't played a competitive game for a month, and Capello always said that he would pick on form not reputation. Calling Beckham up would be going back on his word! Well written article though!
Edit Comment Cancel
Alden Sing 7 months ago
Thanks Barney,
Yes he hasn't been playing competitive games but i reckon he should go out on a high and retire from international football.
My whole point of this article was to show that Beckham has no future in the club anymore and so what if he gets another five or six games more? How does this help England's cause?
He is definitely not going to feature in the next world cup. And sticking around means that Capello has to play him since he was such a good player.
Why not deny Capello of such a chance by retiring so that Capello can be free to let other players fill his position.
Edit Comment Cancel
Maire Ofeire 7 months ago
I'm not too sure what kind of form Beckham is in at the moment since he is not playing for LA but I think once his loan period kicks in at Milan and if he does well he deserves his place in the England squad.
Edit Comment Cancel
Alden Sing 7 months ago
Well as I said above, Beckham is going to be a short term measure for England because of his age. England has to learn to deal without him anymore.
Regardless of a loan back to Milan or not, England shouldn't be calling up a player heading into the twilight of his career anymore.
Instead, they should blood Walcott and gang to meet England's future needs.
Edit Comment Cancel
Guido 7 months ago
He's past his prime. He can be useful for England at times, especially against smaller nations, where his accurate passing and set piece delivery might break the dead-lock, but I feel he's no longer good enough to play in the big international games.
Edit Comment Cancel
Alden Sing 7 months ago
Yes Guido I agree.
"He can be useful for England at times." That is my exact sentiments. Why does Beckham just want to be useful for England at times? He was a great player and to watch his fall from grace is definitely painful. Why not just let the English fans keep pleasant memories of him and retire when he is on the high?
Furthermore, Capello has said recently that he wants England to be "challenged" during friendlies which in other words means that he wants England to play the top teams during friendlies to improve.
With that being said, I am pretty sure Beckham is not going to be useful anymore because he is "no longer good enough to play in the big international games."
Edit Comment Cancel
Neil Melms 7 months ago
Until Capello says David will not play for England anymore or Becks completely retires from International competitions, nothing is certain as to the future of Beckham. Haven't you learn from watching Becks all these years that you can never count him out. On top of that, Capello is one of those rare managers who you can actually believe when he says certain things. With that being said, Capello or Beckham have never stated that this was the end of Beckham's career Internationally.
I understand that Beckham is never going to be a starter for the remainder of his England career. I truly agree that this is now the time for Walcott to stake that position and keep it for years. But Becks can still bring a wealth of experience and a free-kick ability that can still trouble opponents coming off the bench.
I also don't understand how you can say Beckham has been a model professional and using England for personal satisfaction. Hate him for all the things he might have done outside of the pitch, but I've never seen him do anything less than his all for clubs and country.
I can't believe for all the things you've written, you never stated that most obvious reasons why he wasn't called up. The fact that he isn't playing competitive football is the MAIN reason he wasn't called up for this particular friendly. I think most people knew this except you that this would happen considering that not only Capello has stated that players who are fit and have been competitively playing are his main priorities when picking a squad.
If Beckham gives all his best at Milan and still doesn't get called up, then I'll come back here and apologize to you, but until then I am not counting him out until then. Thanks.
Edit Comment Cancel
Alden Sing 7 months ago
fair enough comment Neil.
I don't deny that Beckham is not good enough. I just feel that he should step aside so that Capello will be relieved of the obligation to pick him and hence denying the other uprising England stars a chance to stake their claim.
The first paragraph about how "Capello is one of those rare managers who you can actually believe when he says certain things" is untrue. Capello announced that at Madrid that Beckham will never play for Madrid ever again. But Beckham was picked again after showing a string of impressive performances in training. So I don't think you should believe what Capello says.
Or for that matter even consider what Capello says as anything relevant to this issue.
Beckham knows that he is past his prime and his career for England is now purely existing to break records. I don't think anyone will disagree with me when I say that Beckham has no long term future for England. And hence he should just step aside and allow Capello to pick others.
Edit Comment Cancel
Neil Melms 7 months ago
Thanks for the respond Alden.
The only reason that I have a high respect for Capello in terms of Beckham was that he actually admitted he was wrong during the Real Madrid season. Capello didn't lie when he said Beckham wouldn't play again because he signed that contract with LA. Fabio thought that Becks wouldn't put too much effort now that he was leaving the club. Becks didn't give up however and showed Capello that he was going to continue to work as hard as anyone on the team. When Capello admitted he was wrong about David, that showed me that Capello is not so high on himself. Few managers in any sport these days are too high and almighty that they forget what is good for the team.
The reason it mattered to this article is because you never mentioned what Fabio actually stated as to why Becks wasn't included in the team against Germany. It was basically your assumptions and speculations as to why David wasn't chosen and in my opinion it was unfair.
No I don't disagree with you that Becks future with the England squad is coming to a close. And I've stated that he will never be or rather shouldn't be a starter on the team as it is now the time for Walcott to take the center stage. Even I believe Wright-Phillips is ahead of David but what David can bring on the bench is the experience to come in a game within the last ten or so minutes and do what he does best. Or the younger players can learn from Becks on the practice field and pick his brains. What people forget to mention is that David is a great team player and he can provide that experience to the younger players.
Edit Comment Cancel
Willie Gannon 7 months ago
Nice piece Alden.
My opinion of Beckham,
he's an incredibly over-rated player and always has been. A superb dead ball specialist and a possessor of good technique, despite what most think, his passing is average for a pro footballer. His short passing is ok but his long range passing is poor at best. Look it up I'm pretty sure statistics will back me on this.
While he was always one of the fittest players at United, his fitness has started to diminish in recent years, and credit where it's due- he always worked hard on the pitch...except he can't tackle, can't head the ball and was poor positionally (at the highest level, against the top teams).
To even mention him in the same breath as Bobby Moore is an insult to football fans everywhere. It's like comparing Diego Maradona and Steve Stone, they just don't match up.
As far as the caps thing is concerned International's play around 10 games a year now-a-days. In the 60s and 70s they only played around 4 to 5 games a year bar tournament years. So Moore's record is just phenomenal.
When Beckham was on the verge of getting his 100th cap I was of the opinion that he should be given it for service and dedication to the cause. He deserved it.
This 108th cap thing is a different animal entirely. And there is no way on earth that Beckham is good enough to deserve this accolade, is he good enough to be considered a legend? Hardly.
And while I would be vehemantly against him winning this treasure, I expect him to win it sooner rather than later.
It says a lot about the state of English football if he does.
Edit Comment Cancel
Barney 7 months ago
Willie I have to disagree with so many parts to that comment!
Firstly, and I know I'll be in a minority here, but I don't think David Beckham has ever been over-rated as a footballer. His celebrity lifestyle has created a lot of attention around him but, as he got more famous, that had very little to do with his footballing ability, which was always very very good. In fact I think nowadays, with every saying he is past it, he is underrated!
Is Beckham good enough to be considered a legend? Of course he is! Barring Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney, and I don't think England have had a better right midfielder than Beckham! And to be seconds to those two is no disgrace!
Edit Comment Cancel
Trey Jones 7 months ago
I've been watching Becks play for years and although he is one of the greatest spot kick takers in the world here's is what I have also noticed since his last year at Man U...
Defense... none to speak of... it almost looks like his position is being covered by the 5th midfielder when fielding the 4-5-1. His attempts to force a pass look hesitant and I haven't seen him run anyone down for a tackle in a very long time. After reviewing quite a few Real and LA matches it looks as if opposing teams attempt to take advantage of his lack of coverage by forcing the ball into his area thus creating a void when someone slides over to offer support.
Ball control... Becks is one of the best passers I have seen - ever - but opposing teams have noticed that rarely does he force a possession beyond 10 yards. He, like other middle aged athletes, has modified his play to accommodate his advancing years - for Becks this means he is collecting the ball and passing much faster. Opposing teams know that all they have to do is apply a bit of pressure to force a pass - seldom does he earn tight coverage . He is not considered much of a direct threat unless he is in scoring range. Only when the possession closes to 25 yards or so from the opposing goal do defenses run tight coverage and sometimes it's done with a striker.
In the past, Becks could offer up some solid runs and cover his area in addition to being a bona fide spot kick threat. Nowadays teams are finding it difficult to accommodate his liabilities simply take advantage of his prowess on dead ball fouls.
I love the guy and he does work like a champ but I'm not seeing enough on the field to think that many teams consider him an asset. I personally think that his role in the Euro Cup qualifiers had something to do with them not making the final group - England played the legend instead of a real 90 minute player.
Edit Comment Cancel
Neil Melms 7 months ago
"I personally think that his role in the Euro Cup qualifiers had something to do with them not making the final group..."
Are you serious???? I had to read this twice to make sure that this is actually what you wrote. I guess it was his fault they lost to Macedonia 1-0 away and tied them 0-0 at home? Oh wait he wasn't even playing most of those matches. It was closer to the end of the qualifiers was he recalled back to the squad by Steve McLaren.
Edit Comment Cancel
Neil Melms 7 months ago
Correction, barely winning 1-0 away to Macedonia. They did win that game but they should have won it easily.
Edit Comment Cancel
mark peters 7 months ago
how the hell is Beckham a "legend"?He has NEVER produced a world class performance against a big nation of football.He has NEVER proven good enough to hurt the best sides,he was completely FOUND OUT in every tournament he played.He was awful at madrid where he did nothing in europe for the 9 times champions and hes been absolutely appalling in America where they are wishing hed never turned up and every american ive heard from have said they cant understand what all the fuss is about.Beckham is footballs equivilant of anna kournikova from tennis,all image but no substance whatsoever.He was englands weakest link so many times it wasnt funny yet every indulgence was given over to him in his time from getting to take EVERY free-kick and penalty to the whole WAG thing which he put onto england to help ruin our chances.It cant be a coincidence that england are finally looking like a decent team just as Beckham fades from the team.He killed england and englands style for far too long,any true reader of our game could see this and now thats being proved so comprehensively it isnt true.Keep the celebrity clown out of my england side for good and we might actually acxhieve something,something Beckham never got anywhere near doing.
Edit Comment Cancel
Neil Melms 7 months ago
I swear this topic comes up every 3 months and the problem is that it is the same old thing. It is a slow news day when we come up with another article about how bad Beckham is as a footballer. Nobody has boasted about how great Beckham is within the last few months and still people continue to knock him down. Some of us who like Becks think that he has definitely passed his prime years and we understand that. It isn't his fault that he just wants to give his best even now until he finally retires from the game.
I also completely disagree with you about his stint at Real Madrid Mark. The concept of the Galacticos team failed miserably and even though he was part of that, it wasn't completely all Beckham. They wouldn't mind having him right about now as they lacked any right wing players unless they switch one of their left wing players to the right. Ask Sergio Ramos how much impact player Becks was not only to free-kicks but also the attention Beckham got on the right allowed Ramos to overlap and join in on the attack.
I don't know the Americans your talking to Mark because for some of us, our expectations wasn't so high on Becks to begin with. He wasn't going to change football here but we didn't wish he had never turned up either. Even he understood that prior to coming here that football will never beat or even come close to basketball, baseball, and American football. We weren't all dancing in the street once he arrived but it did brought a little excitement.
Lastly, England became a better team because they actually have a manager in Capello who knows how to manage. Steve McClaren had the same players yet he wasn't able to unlock what Capello has done so far.
You're all talking about finally we can move on, but here it is again the same topic with the same criticisms. Do what you actually say and leave this topic in the past, that way we can all move on to other positive topics.
Edit Comment Cancel
JukeBox Moon 7 months ago
This article is actually talking about the unrelevant things except for the REAL and MAIN reason of why Capello didn't call Beckham. He is NOT PLAYING competitive football for god sake!! And Capello is not a man who called people on reputation! He hadn't done that while he's managering clubs..why would he do it now when he's managing a country team? Obviously you don't really know Capello to say anything else.
This is a waste of time as it is the SAME THING all over again since 3 or 4 years ago. Until Capello, who has one of the most impressive CVs in the football history, said Beckham should retire or not good to play anymore..or until Beckham himself said that he'll retire..why should I listen to you or any other "sport" journalists? So far..Becks has showed nothing but that he's still good to play.
Edit Comment Cancel
Neil Melms 7 months ago
Amen JukeBox. AMEN!
Edit Comment Cancel
Brandon Evans 7 months ago
We scored two goals from defenders. What Beckham brings to the team is good delivery to the stirkers. If anything yesterday showed there is still need for a player like him in the squad.
Edit Comment Cancel
Matt S 7 months ago
Look Capello is under no obligation to pick Beckham, as shown by the times when he’s already left him out of the squad. Beckham makes himself available for selection, no more. Yes Capello might be under pressure to pick him but he’s already shown that he makes his own decisions as he has left him out of the squad completely on several ocassions.
Capello has already said that he regrets the decisions of Scholes and Carragher not to make themselves available for the national team so why would he want his pool of players even smaller, even if by only one player? If Capello thinks Beckham can still be useful, even as a substitute or even as a non-playing member of the squad he will pick him.
I really don’t understand this whole idea of giving a younger guy a chance. Fair enough if the younger players are better but picking a younger player who Capello doesn’t consider as good as Beckham, why would he do that? McClaren dropped Beckham and gave younger players like Aaron Lennon a chance. The result? Poor performances and poorer results. Capello should pick his best 23 players regardless of how old they are. England are not strong enough to completely write off players of a certain age and give younger players a chance, hence why David James is still in the team at 38. But no-one is questioning that are they? No, because Beckham grabs the headlines as usual.
A more interesting article would have been why David Bentley (who has been playing competitive football in the last month) wasn’t included in the squad despite all of the injuries. Why wasn’t the article focused on him? Surely it’s not good for him if he can’t even get in the squad even with all these injuries and Beckham not even considered?
Edit Comment Cancel
JukeBox Moon 7 months ago
Wow Matt..you has scored more valid points in your comment about the already retired players such as Scholes and Carragher..and other oldie players whom are still in the squad. Yeah..why not questioning about them too? Especially about a serious lack of patriotism by players like Scholes and especially Carragher when England is already fall short of players to begin with. And what about David James? Yes..he is a goalkeeper but I believe the same argument can be put on him of there are a lot of younger, consistent goalkeepers that should be "given" the caps too more than him. And I also agree with your point about David Bentley. Why not questioning his non-inclusion while he is "supposedly" better than Beckham and any other right wingers?
Edit Comment Cancel
mark peters1 7 months ago
Brandon,what are you on about?we scored 2 goals from set-pieces and delivered by Downing.If anything that shows how LITTLE need there is for Beckham in the squad as it appears to be his only claim to inclusion.
Neil,the galactico thing only failed when Beckham arrived.Real were spanish and european champions in 2002 with zidane and figo etc.Figo himself said with the ce;ebrity signing of beckham real had foregone trophies for commercial gain and he was right.Beckham is the ultimate spin over substance footballer.I find it astonishing that despite such ludicrous hype you can troll through his years with england and not find a single performance of worth v a big team.Beckham was englands weakest link in 2002 and 2004 tournaments when he was meant to be at his "peak".I dont think ive ever witnessed a more pointlessly overtalked about sportsman in my life of watching sport.This guy still gets more airspace than the likes of Ronney who is a genuine heavyweight english footballer with a talent Beckham wouldnt and couldnt even begin to comprehend.We should send Beckham and his delusions back to LA-an artificial city full of vacuous "celebrities"-is that this vacuuous players destiny location or what?
Edit Comment Cancel
mark peters1 7 months ago
Brandon,what are you on about?we scored 2 goals from set-pieces and delivered by Downing.If anything that shows how LITTLE need there is for Beckham in the squad as it appears to be his only claim to inclusion. Neil,the galactico thing only failed when Beckham arrived.Real were spanish and european champions in 2002 with zidane and figo etc.Figo himself said with the ce;ebrity signing of beckham real had foregone trophies for commercial gain and he was right.Beckham is the ultimate spin over substance footballer.I find it astonishing that despite such ludicrous hype you can troll through his years with england and not find a single performance of worth v a big team.Beckham was englands weakest link in 2002 and 2004 tournaments when he was meant to be at his "peak".I dont think ive ever witnessed a more pointlessly overtalked about sportsman in my life of watching sport.This guy still gets more airspace than the likes of Ronney who is a genuine heavyweight english footballer with a talent Beckham wouldnt and couldnt even begin to comprehend.We should send Beckham and his delusions back to LA-an artificial city full of vacuous "celebrities"-is that this vacuuous players destiny location or what?
Edit Comment Cancel
Bella Duschells 7 months ago
Two things. First small point: caps are being spoken of as if they were an honor awarded at the end of a career based on some assessment of how many a player deserves. One is "simply" given each time the man plays for his country -- the honor is in doing so, with the number of times a source of pride. After following CAPELLO's career I can say with certainty that he would never choose a player to for the purpose of adding anything to their resume -- it is something that would never enter into his calculations.
Which brings me to the second point. Listen to Capello speak, he has been absolutely clear about why he continues to choose Beckham and why he did not choose him for this match (and he's been clear in the mainstream media so I'm not sure about the confusion). He did not call Beckham this week because, as he has stated since his first match in charge -- for which Beckham was not called -- he ONLY chooses players if they are fit and PLAYING IN COMPETITIVE MATCHES. Any player. Period.
He was also quite specific about why he does continue to choose Beckham when qualified even if he only has use for him as a sub. If you look at Italian football, there is no fear of the senior player, in fact they are highly valued as long as they still offer effective options on the pitch, are able to pass on skills and experience to younger players coming through, and if their composure can steady the team in highly charged situations. According to Capello, Beckham fits the bill on all counts. He says that Beckham is a tremendous booster of teammates in the dressing room, in practice and during matches and that he has seen the confidence this gives younger players -- and even to the senior squad (this is backed up by any teammate who has commented on playing with Beckham over the years). Finally, and we have seen Capello do this over the years, he said that it is common when the side is ahead in a crucial match -- when too often they can let their guard down and cede the game in the last minutes -- to bring on an experienced player at the end to steady the team, keep them focused and give the tired opposition something new to worry about defensively instead of mounting a counter attack. He was very specific about this. As England fans will see over the years, Capello's substitutions are canny and his man management is blind, he'll sit anyone and play anyone.
Edit Comment Cancel
mark peters1 7 months ago
Bella,in what possible planetry arrangement could Beckham be described as a "steady" or "calming" player?He is a child-still.He still has this child like delusion that hes the "big star"-hes a flipping boy!He STILL is petulant-getting himself sent-off by acting like a spoilt brat into his 30s against austria in 2006.He DIDNT show the remotest composure when at 2-2 v croatia when he sent the ball straight to the opposition-and 10 seconds later it was in the back of our net.He continues to give the ball away constantly-note the Czech game where he started and was farcically inept.He STILL cannot keep his shape to save his life,wandering all over the place offering us no discipline whatsoevcer.Shall i go on?Beckham is a myth and it is ludicrous to think capello is planning to deny an Agbonlahoor,a a carrick,a bentley,a Young etc a shot at an international career just to keep old oldenballs onboard as the squad celebrity to be cheered to the rafters everytime he pouts on the touchline before the new-wembley set fans who understand celebrity but not football.This will be tyhe ruin of capello and his reign if he continues to side-track england and the england medias focus by indulging beckham endlessly and pointlessly.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.