Posted February 4, 200916 yr I thought I'd start the thread for next weeks pointless England friendly with Spain early to get peoples thoughts on David Beckham. He's recently moved to AC Milan and it seems to have coincided with the rejuvinating of Milan's season; 5 games which has seen two goals and two assists and huge amounts of praise from the Italian and (less-so) English press and it's now being speculated that a transfer worth up to £14m could happen in the summer, impressive for a 33 year old! Personally, I'm delighted with this. I love Beckham and still think he has a great deal to offer, certainly a damn site more than some of his competition (hello Mr Lennon!). He may have lost whatever pace he had but that still leaves him with his passing, creativity, vision, crossing and set-piece ability being as good as ever. I think it's widely regarded as a mistake him moving to America but at the time could you really blame him after Capello had left him training with the Madrid youth. It's not exactly uncommon for players to go to a weaker league for the end of their career either, although it's usually to the middle east rather than the USA. His drive and commitment to getting back into the England set-up after being dropped by Steve McClaren has never failed to impress. It's clear that he still loves his country and will do anything to play for them and will always give his best, something which again can't be said for others (Carragher, Gerrard, Lampard, A. Cole...). Another thing which I think is great about him is that he's shown desire to play abroad which such a little amount of English players do now, they're quite happy to sit on the bench earning their pay-cheque than try and further their game in a different country and culture (Pennant). How many other players can say they've made an impact at three great clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan? I hope next Wednesday he equals the outfield caps record and goes on to get many more. For 2 1/2 years now others have had the chance to take his place, only Theo Walcott looks anything like hungry or good enough to do so!
February 4, 200916 yr Look at that - there's a mistake in the first sentence: friendlies are pointless.
February 4, 200916 yr He should definitely play. No question. He's our best option for the right hand side, and his quality from set pieces is outstanding. Still, it's an utterly pointless friendly. I disagree with what you said about English players abroad. I'd love to see more English players go abroad, but it rarely happens for the simple fact they're not good enough. English players transfers are always inflated.
February 4, 200916 yr Author Look at that - there's a mistake in the first sentence: friendlies are pointless. Friendlies aren't always pointless, although this one is. I can see the point of them in the close-season, or in an international break where there are qualifiers too. But to just have one completely randomly in the middle of a season is. They're also not pointless if you're the host of an upcoming tournament and would otherwise not play a single game for up to two and a half years!
February 4, 200916 yr Author He should definitely play. No question. He's our best option for the right hand side, and his quality from set pieces is outstanding. Still, it's an utterly pointless friendly. I disagree with what you said about English players abroad. I'd love to see more English players go abroad, but it rarely happens for the simple fact they're not good enough. English players transfers are always inflated. But when they do go they're rarely a success or don't want to go. There was interest in Pennant from Real Madrid in January (though I don't know why and how true it was) but he said he'd prefer to fight for his place at Liverpool. Why?! People like Owen and Woodgate, they weren't successful but did they really try? It seemed like as soon as there was a chance for Owen to come back he did! I've huge praise for Matt Derbyshire who's gone on loan to Olympiakos, I really hope he proves a success out there. I suppose the other reason is that foreign clubs might not want to risk it, after all Brits don't always have the best of reputations abroard. Ian Rush (IIRC) went abroad for a pay day but didn't bother to learn the language as he didn't really care. I saw an interview with Colin Cazim Richards on Soccer AM over Christmas and he said he barely knew any Turkish even though he'd been there a year and a half and had adopted their nationality and played for them at Euro 2008. Although to be fair he came accross as thick as two short planks and is still probably learning English. Even Beckham adressed the Italian media in Italian when he first signed for Milan, and he's supposedly the thickest footballer of the lot!
February 4, 200916 yr Remembering the last time England played in Spain, this match will be anything but friendly.... c1LS6Lj4ehM On topic: Beckham should start as he is the in form option for this right-wing midfield position; with Walcott injured & the likes of Lennon, Wright-Phillips, Richardson, Pennant & the egocentric Bentley dropped by their clubs or out of form. Unless Capello does an Erikkson & cops out to play Gerrard & Barry out of position on the wings to accomodate Lampard & Carrick.
February 4, 200916 yr I think they should play him. Hes on form and i cant think of anyone else that position playing better.http://sealthat.com/imgs/signature_av.jpg
February 5, 200916 yr I think there's no other option but to play him and he's earned his right to play as he deserves it! Whether he's a first choice player or not we need his skills at set pieces and his crossing ability, he'll still play a big role if we get to the World Cup! Jagielka has earned at least a sub appearance tonight especially as it was Torres who he kept out of the game! I do hope Gary Neville gets a recall as well though as he's still the best right back imo. Apparently Rooney is back in full training but I hope we don't risk him on Sunday as much as I'd love him to play against the world champions so I say it should be Heskey and Agbonlahor upfront personally meanwhile Frank Lampard shouldn't play at all!
February 5, 200916 yr if he does leave LA for Milan permanently isn't that sort of admitting he was wrong to go there. I mean what happened to his plans to transform US soccer. But on current form he definitely dreserves to be in the starting XI
February 5, 200916 yr Author if he does leave LA for Milan permanently isn't that sort of admitting he was wrong to go there. I mean what happened to his plans to transform US soccer. But on current form he definitely dreserves to be in the starting XI It's surely better to admit you were wrong than not admit you're wrong and keep trying? Let's face it, if he does stay he's not going to do anything more. He HAS raised the profile of the game and he HAS made Galaxy a lot of money, but deep down Americans just aren't interested in "soccer" and realistically, never will be.
February 7, 200916 yr England squad: Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Man City), David James (Portsmouth). Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Man City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Luke Young (Villa). Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Gareth Barry (Villa), Michael Carrick (Man Utd), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Man City), Ashley Young (Villa). Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Villa), Carlton Cole (West Ham), Peter Crouch (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Villa). Spain squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool). Defenders: Raul Albiol (Valencia), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Juan Gutierrez (Real Betis), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid). Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), Albert Riera (Liverpool), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia). Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao ), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia). Never thought i'd see the day where Carlton Cole was in the England squad. Good luck to the lad though.
February 7, 200916 yr Author Villa have more players than the big 4 combined! Carlton Cole probably deserves his call up. He's been on form and with Owen, Defoe and Rooney out it's not as if there's anyone else...
February 8, 200916 yr Never thought i'd see the day where Carlton Cole was in the England squad. Good luck to the lad though. *I* never thought I'd see the day when Villa have more than the Big Four combined.
February 8, 200916 yr *I* never thought I'd see the day when Villa have more than the Big Four combined. Why not? The big 4 have never really invested in English players for some time, well, with the odd exception. Like I said, you can often find a Spanish/French/Italian player for half the price of an English player when they're just as good. As much as I don't like him as a person Martin O'Neill has done a good job with his squad, especially developing Young and Agbonlahor into very good players.
February 8, 200916 yr and making Barry look decent I suggest you watch an Aston Villa game then... Barry is quite average at left midfielder, (or was average the last time I saw him as a left midfielder) but as a holding/central midfielder he thrives.
February 9, 200916 yr i suggest you watch a Manchester United game, you'd see who the better midfielder is
February 9, 200916 yr i suggest you watch a Manchester United game, you'd see who the better midfielder is I watched them yesterday. Carrick did nothing of much susbstance. Scholes > Barry > Carrick.
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