Like my last post, this is a topic that has sparked much debate and is a subject i know many feel strongly about after years of him restoring the pride into the England crest. So should he go to south Africa? or are England better off with taking Walcott, Lennon and Shaun wright Phillips instead? Unlike the other three, Beckham has experience that not many international footballers could ever dream of achieving. Arguably the greatest English pro ever, Beckham has proven over the years that he has the ability to change the course of a match just with his elegant passing skills. Yes, he has aged since the heroics in Greece, but surely just to have such an icon in the camp to keep the starting 11 relaxed and offering advice is ultimately enough to secure his place. I agree with the majority that he is no longer acceptable enough to be named in the starting 11, but in a matter of desperation, what better option to have entering the greatest stage of all. Beckham's class, ability and reputation all strike fear into the hearts of the opposition regardless of his exceeding age.
Admittedly, options such as the pace of Lennon and Walcott are luxuries and shouldnt be discounted. However, can Mr Capello afford to leave the biggest icon in the world to be sitting on a Spanish beach in the summer? I think not. You only hve to look at the magnificent evidence where Beckham has delivered remarkably under pressure, a trait few can master. Take Greece, i dont think you need reminding, last minut on the verge of missing out on a World cup, only Beckham could have saved us, and he did. Croatia, on the verge of not making it to Euro 2008, and indeed we did fail. Nevertheless, when he graced the Wembley pitch on that gloomy, damp evening, who was it that put England back in with a shot of making it? It was Beckham with one of the most magnificent long passes into the path of Crouch. He was one of few in that match who showed the real desire and passion that has been lacking for years now. So there is my verdict, i would be most greatful if you could leave a comment on the post and also your opinion on whether Beckham should be on the Plane. Thank you. :)
Rubbish article pal. You really think he should be on the plane just because he is an "icon" or because he scored a free kick NINE years ago? He has flopped in every five tournaments he has been taken to and has done very little of note in club football since leaving Man Utd. Lennon and Walcott both displayed better performances in the two Croatia matches than Beckham has EVER done in his entire career. Plus there's James Milner as well who's been excellent for Villa. You really should ignore the ridiculous media hype surrounding Beckham and look at his footballing merits - only a couple of standout performances in 115 England caps. A player who fails to shine at MLS, which is about the level of England's League Two, is absolutely certainly not going to "strike fear to the hearts of the opposition". All you need is to ask your left-back to stand in front of him and he can't do anything.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t say this your article was rubbish at all! It’s well written and you make some valid points about how Beckhams experience will be vital in a major tournament. It is a tad too pro Beckham though, but just as your views swing one way, Tom C’s points come across extremely negative towards Beckham.
ReplyDeleteI find it funny that people are actually still debating this argument as it’s pretty clear that he is on the plane, Mr. Capello himself said if Beckham is playing top European football he’d be there and he is at AC Milan, for the second season running. Apart from the Milan Derby Beckham, once again, has been getting good reviews over his performances from pundits and his own team mates. When pro’s like Kaka, Pato, Ronaldinho and coaches like Ancelotti and Capello are praising Beckham for his abilities on and off the pitch, I’d rather take their opinions then anyone else’s.
“We are just grateful to have him here because there is no doubt he has strengthened the team and brought more balance to the side. I have always been a David Beckham fan and his ability on the ball has never been in question. His offensive play is lethal. He can see a pass five minutes before it happens and when you’re a forward looking for a telling pass you know he will deliver.”
Ronaldinho 24th Jan 2010
The England manager made a point of singling out Beckham for praise after the former captain had come on for a cameo half-hour substitute performance during which he hit the post and lifted the tempo. Capello said: "Whether Beckham plays five minutes, 20 minutes or half an hour he always plays very well…” Capello October 2009.
Ancelotti said: "Beckham is a great player but not exceptional. However, he won me over with his attitude and his character On the pitch he sees things long before most players and his vision of play is far beyond what it was when he played for Manchester United. He has nothing to envy even a player like Kaka in that department. He's slower than Kaka but he's stronger than Kaka tactically and technically.At the end of 2008 when the club told me that they were going to be able to sign him and that he'd be able to start training with us in December I had no thought of playing him at the start of the second half of the season. Immediately I saw him train I changed my view. He was consistently the first to arrive and the last to leave. I had literally no option but to include him in the playing group and then the team." Ancelotti 22/07/2009
I think Ancelotti sums it up really. Not an exceptional player but works hard and has great vision. His view isn’t from an armchair fan but from someone who saw him train day in, day out. You can’t argue with the pro’s but many Beckham haters will. I, personally would like to see him go but not to start, unless he plays a blinder and you can’t leave him out.
It speaks volumes that he is the first name choosen for South Africa.He is in my mind the best to have ever played the game.If only we had quality players around Becks like Zidane had for France time and time again...
ReplyDeleteI admire you making positive moves at such an early age to get into your chosen career.
ReplyDeleteHowever, without wishing to be overly critical (and I realise it is just a blog), spelling and grammar are incredibly sloppy. These are pretty basic necessities for journalists in any field.
Slightly jumbled, some bits needed re-reading to understand your point. But well done all the same.
Personally I couldnt care less if he goes, he will only feature in the dying minutes of any game, and I don't believe he possesses any attributes that will turn a game more than any other player. Yes he has a killer pass but others have pace, strength, etc. Up to Capello.
you cant call him the greatest englishman bobby moore? geoff hurst? peter shilton? its an embarrasment that beckham is mentioned in he same sentence. He deserves to be on the plane becuase hes an icon? lets just take one the ones i mentioned above aswell eh?
ReplyDeleteIn his prime he was overated hes good at freekicks thats about it, this countrys media is so biased towards beckham and chumps believe it all and about Greece yes Beckham scored the winner but what if the keeper had let in another goal? wouldnt of made a difference that beckham scored would it? its an 11 player game not 1.
Carry on with the dream though it was well written.
Thankyou for all your comments, much appreciated
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