Eight Reasons England Still Need David Beckham
David Beckham: One of England's most popular and successful players of all time.
Fabio Capello had effectively announced the icon's international retirement in August after saying that he would be looking to the future and picking younger players. However, a month later Capello seems to have made a U-turn after saying "no one player is out".
Could this mean a return to the international fold(again) for Becks? Or is it just an attempt by Capello to get the media off his back?
Either way, should Beckham still be playing for England? Here are 10 reasons why he should.
Experience
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115 games for England gives Beckham an insight into international football that no other England player can provide.
He's seen it all, both on and off the pitch, which puts him in the perfect position to teach younger, less experienced, players the ropes of international football.
Whether it is the differences in styles of play, conduct in training or how to behave with the media, Beckham has navigated his way through every probable situation. Who wouldn't want to have a player like that available?
Set Pieces
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When it comes down to the wire, who would you want to be standing over the ball before a make or break set piece? You want a player who has been in similar situations before, who has confidence in his ability, someone who really worries the opposition. David Beckham is the perfect fit.
Beckham is one of the all-time great free kick takers. England don't have a new young set piece genius, so why dump Beckham? Whether he's shooting or crossing, from a dead-ball situation there is no better option.
England do have other free-kick takers. The likes of Gerrard and Lampard are both very capable, but they aren't in the same league as Beckham. Considering that there is a player available who can regularly trouble the goalkeeper and also provide consist service when not shooting, why hand the duties to someone less good.
Passing
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In addition to his fearsome free-kicks, Beckham isn't a bad passer of the ball either.
Beckham's game has never been based on pace, he's always been a play-maker, pulling the strings without needing to put in too much leg-work. This means that although he may be slower than he once was, his main attributes aren't particularly diminished by age.
David Beckham is still one of England's best passers and can split defences with ease. He is a far better passer than both Theo Walcott and James Milner, England's current first choice wingers. This was apparent during England's match against Bulgaria, when the quality of service from the wings was below par.
Capello likes to play quick players such as Milner, Lennon and Walcott on the wings, where he sees pace as an essential quality, but Beckham would provide an alternative if the first choice option of pace isn't getting the job done.
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Motivation
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Having a player like David Beckham in the side provides motivation both on and off the field. In training he's the hardest worker, setting an example for others to follow. Even at the World Cup, where he was injured, Beckham was out training as hard as any of the players.
On the field, his charisma really comes into play. Knowing that you are playing with a legend is a huge incentive to perform, especially if you are young and trying to impress.
Beckham is a natural leader and having captained England 59 times, he knows exactly what is needed to get England going. Considering England's reputation for patchy performances, having a figure like Beckham in the side has been, and could still be, very useful.
Popularity
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David Beckham is immensely popular with England's fans. However, he's also a popular figure in the dressing room.
His experience and attitude are admired, and although he is no longer captain he is a player who can provide sound advice to everyone from the man about to make his first experience all the way through to the captain.
This might make Becks seem like something of an old man, but he is still one of the guys and isn't afraid to play pranks: he recently switched Posh's ring-tone to "I'm too sexy", something she doesn't know how to change!
Beckham is the type of guy you want to have in your dressing room. He doesn't cause problems, either for the coaches or his team-mates and gets along with everyone; he certainly wouldn't lead a French style rebellion.
Fighter
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There is no-one as committed to England as David Beckham.
He's been abused by the media, hated by the public, dropped and banished. Despite this, he's always come back. Even now, after Capello had said his career was over, Beckham may just have survived.
His passion for England is obvious, he says he'll never retire and wants to play for as long as he can. His desire is apparent on the pitch as well. Nobody keeps trying as hard as he does, nobody celebrates a goal harder, and nobody is as determined to succeed as he is.
His attitude towards playing is perfect, his determination means that he will always play to the best of his ability, even if he isn't fully fit. After a World Cup where little passion was shown from the England players, maybe the best solution lies with a player who's been there all along, rather than a new player.
Retirements
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Recently, several of the older, more experienced players have retired from England duty. With the likes of Carragher, Robinson, Bridge, Brown and Scholes out of the picture, there are fewer old hands available to Capello.
While he is undoubtedly looking to bring younger players into the England set-up, Capello can't afford to completely ignore older players.
England won't want to suffer another communications disaster which saw two players drop out of the first post-World Cup squad. One player who won't up and retire is none other than David Beckham. He has constantly said that he will never retire from international football and will always be available.
Selecting Beckham shows the older players that there is still a chance of playing for England. Competition breeds success, and if older players continue to try and make the squad, younger players are forced to perform at a higher level in order to play for the national side.
Players retiring early from international football does give younger players more opportunities, but it should be hard for them to make it. Otherwise they may take their place for granted and not feel the pressure to perform, something that won't benefit England.
Star Power and Fans
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Even if he isn't playing much, the presence of David Beckham in and around the national team creates huge interest. If you want crowds, publicity and sponsorship, players like David Beckham are the perfect way to win it.
Crowds really get behind players like David Beckham. At home he will be cheered and his introduction to a game often revives lagging interest. Away from home, if they don't still love him, they probably hate him. Either way, Beckham gets a reaction, something that helps players perform.
Players like Beckham are great for kit sales, ticket sales and press coverage. This may not have all that much to do with the actual football, but you need to make money from ticket sales and merchandise if you want to invest in better stadiums, youth teams and training camps.
Obviously the football has to come first. You can't select a guy if he isn't good enough or if there's a better option, just to make some extra cash. But to rule out a player who is good enough to make the squad when fully fit, who will improve the atmosphere and who will also make you plenty of money doesn't make sense.
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