When Shilton reached 109 England caps he was presented with a special shirt bearing the number and his name on the back. As Saturday approached, and David Beckham inevitably collected his latest record-breaking cap, England unveiled their new shirts too. Not especially for Goldenballs himself, but for the whole team. I am not entirely sure why, when playing at home, the three lions wore all white (don’t we usually have blue shorts, or did I miss something?). But I am certain that Beckham’s forty-five minutes proved that we still need him as a player.
<img alt=”beckham.jpg” src=”http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/beckham.jpg” width=”614″ height=”390″ />
His assist for Rooney’s first goal showed enduring class and for all the whooping and cheering that accompanies Gerrard and Rooney nowadays it is still Beckham’s metronomic presence that keeps the team ticking over.
Some people don’t like Beckham, a lot of them even hate him. It is unlikely that any of those people are esteemed members of their local Mensa councils but he has certainly been our most important player for a while now, like it or not.
Cruyff had a totemic presence for Holland during the seventies and in the 1974 World Cup he was even granted special permission to wear his own jersey featuring an extra stripe. Beckham is famously branded right up the coca-colas but he has not been indulged in any such grand fashion. He merely shows up, takes the shirt number he is given and is happy to play.
<img alt=”Johan%20Cruyff%281%29.jpg” src=”http://blogs.soccernet.com/manchesterunited/Johan%20Cruyff%281%29.jpg” width=”299″ height=”400″ />
England have built our hopes up and then dashed them so many times in the past that right now I am willing to take any omen I can get. Holland lost the final in 1974 as their team fractured towards the end of the tournament. Looking ahead to 2010 one wonders if this new kit could prove lucky for us. Every time England have been knocked out of a major tournament in the last decade we have been wearing white shirts and blue shorts. Perhaps this new all white kit is the way to go.
Or, there is always the chance we will make it to the quarter-finals, lose on penalties, have a couple of players sent off and then watch in horror as the fans trash whichever poor city is unfortunate enough to have hosted the game. On second thoughts, that does seem more likely. At least, for a change, we can do all that in a snazzy new kit. Either that, or lets give Beckham an extra stripe.
Was there ever a more feted player than Becks after he scored that goal against Greece? (And how many people recall the very soft free kick won by Sheringham to get the free kick?)
And was there ever a more vilified player than Beckham after he was sent off against Argentina 11 years ago. And how many people can remember the names of the histrionic Argentinian and the ridiculous egomaniac referee (Simeone and Nielsen). But Becks just keeps turning out, putting the corners and the free kicks across. But how many people think about that when they think about Becks, instead of the wife, the tattoos, and the piece of sticking plaster over his eye after he caught the boot, Truly this is the age of myth not of reality.
Be warned fellow posters, this is a subject I feel passionate about!
Never.slate.Beckham.
Beckham is tremendous ambassador for the game of football. A 7 times league title winner, a Champions League Winner, and now th second most capped player in the history of the national team. He has 17 goals and nearly 40 assists for England, meaning he either scores or creates 1 goal every 2 games.
And in a modern world where there are such people as Ashley Cole and Craig Bellamy, he is a bloody nice bloke. Humble to the press, supportive to his team-mates and passionate on the pitch.
He is highly rated by Ferguson, Wenger, Anchelotti and Capello. Yet some people continue to knock him.
I’ll put it simply, there is not a manager he has played under, a player who has played alongside or a coach he has worked with who has ever questioned his ability or desire to play football. If he is good enough for AC Milan, he is good enough for England, simple as that.
To compare him to Cryuff is ambitious, as he truly was one the best the game has ever seen, and Becks is not at that level. But he has acheived a great deal and has always proved his doubters wrong and for that he should be respected. I had to listen to that Scouse Idiot Alan Green on 5live saying “He’s to old!He can’t beat a man!”. Shut up Green – your an idiot. He has never had that pace, and has still graced some great teams and played alongside some of the best players of the last 25 years. Alan green should go home and cuddle up under his Steven Gerrard duvet cover and stop slating a man who has worked hard to become a player and deserves some respect in the twlight of his career. Becks is a legend and I would love to see him in South Africa.