Saturday, 31 May 2008 16:35 UK

BBC Sports News

Beckham handed England captaincy

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO v ENGLAND

Venue: Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain

Date: Sunday, 1 June Kick-off: 2230 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC ONE, BBC Radio 5 Live/online --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

David Beckham has been named England captain for Sunday's friendly against Trinidad & Tobago.

 

It is a remarkable turnaround for the 33-year-old who stepped down as skipper after the 2006 World Cup and was then dropped by former boss Steve McClaren.

 

The midfielder did regain his place under McClaren but was then made to wait for his 100th cap when current manager Fabio Capello took charge.

Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and John Terry were Capello's previous skippers.

 

The Italian is rotating the captaincy among his players before he makes a permanent decision.

 

Beckham will lead the team out for the 59th time on Sunday and is likely to take charge of an inexperienced England team.

Some of the younger squad members may be given the chance to impress as seven players involved in the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United - including Terry and Wayne Rooney - have stayed behind.

 

Capello has had concerns over Beckham's fitness and the fact that he now plays his football in the USA with LA Galaxy.

However, Beckham has recently shown he could have a role in England's World Cup qualifying campaign next season.

Particularly when he set up the opener in the recent 2-0 win against the USA with a free-kick for Terry to head in.

 

Ferdinand had been thought to be in pole position to take the captain's armband on a permanent basis after his efforts for Manchester United in their double-winning campaign.

But the defender, who led England against France in March, remains cautious.

"It's down to the manager, he has said he will make his decision next season so we will all be waiting to hear what he has to say," he said.

"Who wouldn't want to be captain of their country? There are four or five of us vying to become that.

"Whoever gets the responsibility of being captain, it will be a proud moment for him and his family and all the lads will get behind it."

 

Any Comments on Capello's choice of captain?

Well he's a good captain, and this has already been proved before but I can't see him becoming the captain for when England start their 2010 qualifying campaign. He gave up the captiancy, he didn't have to but he did. I don't see him being an England regular this time next year, but we'll see I guess. I imagine it'll be another very proud moment for him, especially now he has 100 caps under his belt.

i'm still trying to work out why Ferdinand went to Trinidad & Tobago :unsure:

 

Would have been a great chance for Wheater to play, but nooooooo.

i'm still trying to work out why Ferdinand went to Trinidad & Tobago :unsure:

 

Would have been a great chance for Wheater to play, but nooooooo.

 

My guess was to just add a bit of stability to the back line, I mean, it wasn't the most experienced backline England have ever played.

 

I thought we did OK last night. We should have maybe scored a couple more goals, but 3-0 was a decent result on the night. Capello has mentioned that he's found out that some players aren't up to the standard of what he expects, I wonder who he means? Johnson maybe? Bridge also? Who knows.

 

But if one thing is for sure last night, is that Gareth Barry MUST be a regular starter in the England set up.

Defoe may have scored twice but he was so unbeliavably wasteful. :| Michael Owen would've been going to the game with Czech Repuiblic atleast 5 goals nearer to the record had he played.

 

David Bentley played better last night with a couple of good crosses. Becks wasn't as good but still put in two beautiful crosses that Ashton and Defoe should have buried.

 

And yes, Gareth Barry HAS to start with Gerrard! I think the way he's played in these two games, especially his understanding with Gerrard really shows he can play in the top 4 and Livepools offer of £10m is very undervalued!

 

As for not being up to standard, Defoe? Hart? Johnson? Young? Walcott? None have exactly shone and Walcott wasted a sitter.

Edited June 2, 200817 yr by RabbitFurCoat

My guess was to just add a bit of stability to the back line, I mean, it wasn't the most experienced backline England have ever played.

 

I thought we did OK last night. We should have maybe scored a couple more goals, but 3-0 was a decent result on the night. Capello has mentioned that he's found out that some players aren't up to the standard of what he expects, I wonder who he means? Johnson maybe? Bridge also? Who knows.

 

But if one thing is for sure last night, is that Gareth Barry MUST be a regular starter in the England set up.

I thoguht Bridge did all right and it was a nice cross from him that set up Barrys goal, i'd rather see Bridge play over Ashley Cole anyday. :puke2: Glen Johnson though didn't do much but none of the defenders really had that much to do last night.