David Beckham's Italian Dream Damns MLS

What was supposed to be a loan move for David Beckham from LA Galaxy to AC Milan looks like it may become permanent.

A temporary placement in Milan was meant to keep Beckham fit during the close season in the States, but Beckham has impressed the Milan management so much they want to keep him.

That he seems to be keen to stay is hardly a surprise. Beckham's goal is to be in the England squad for the 2010 World Cup, and if he goes back to LA, his chances of doing that seem slim.

England coach Fabio Capello has intimated that if Beckham stays in Milan, his chances will improve dramatically.

The Milanese money men will be delighted by this, and given the impressive performances in his three games for Milan (including a goal against Bologna), Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti won't be sorry either.

But what of those he is leaving behind?

If anything was ever going to belittle Major League Soccer, it is this. Eyebrows were raised when Beckham left Real Madrid for LA Galaxy, and more were raised at his largely indifferent performances.

The sorry fact is that MLS is not competitive enough—or, frankly, good enough—to attract the top players when still at the heights of their powers.

Beckham agreed a move to LA at a time when he had been marginalised from the Real Madrid squad (ironically, by then Madrid coach Capello) and was pretty much out of the reckoning for England. A recall due to injuries followed, and Beckham became an integral part of the Real side during a La Liga run-in that saw them win the League.

Had Beckham not agreed to the move already, it is possible he would have stayed at Madrid, but the contract had been signed and off he went. It is hard not to think he went with some regrets about a decision made almost in haste.

Beckham's time in LA has been unsuccessful. The initial excitement died down quickly, and Galaxy found themselves languishing in the bottom half of the table. Beckham's almost pedestrian style of football did not get the crowds out of their seats. Well-delivered crosses and set-pieces that may have been capitalised upon by players of more talent went unrewarded.

There is still a place for David Beckham at the top table of European football, and if he can maintain form and fitness, in the England squad as well. A league comparable to the English Championship in terms of quality is not big enough for Beckham.

Maybe a player of David's Beckham style is not big enough for MLS. While the standard of football seen in America remains average, the star who will catapult it into the forefront of world football will never join, whoever he may be.