ESPN | Editor's Blog

Top Headlines

March 15, 2010

Beckham loss not savage for England

Posted by Alex Livie on 15/03/2010

David Beckham has got his mug on the back pages once again, but for once in his superbly-managed career I bet he wishes he hadn’t. A ruptured Achilles tendon has left Beckham facing an operation and his World Cup dream in tatters. It is a savage blow for a player seeking his fourth appearance at a World Cup finals and almost certainly ends his hopes of overtaking Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps for England.

Beckham is a great ambassador for British sport, he has been a great servant to a game that has made him an immensely wealthy man, but sentiment aside it is not a disaster for England’s World Cup hopes.

He did well to work his way back into the England squad, after being wrongly discarded by Steve McClaren following the 2006 World Cup finals, with his dedication and commitment winning over Fabio Capello. He took loan moves from LA Galaxy to Milan to further his claims and was almost certain to be on the plane to South Africa, fitness permitting.

Injury has intervened, but it is not a crippling blow to England’s hopes. At 34, the Beckham legs had seen him restricted to the role of impact player. Capello favours a speedy player on the flank, a player capable of beating his marker with a turn of pace. Beckham does not possess that quality, he never did if truth be told, and as such he would only have been called on in a time of crisis.

Beckham is one of the finest crossers of a ball in the game, he can deliver a wicked free-kick and corner, but if Capello had to summon him from the bench in South Africa, it would have meant England were in bother.

It would have been nice for Capello to have had the Beckham string to his bow, but he does not and should England fail at the World Cup finals it will not be because Beckham was not there.

Aaron Lennon is Capello’s first choice for the right-wing berth and it is of bigger concern to England that the Tottenham man is struggling to shake off his groin injury. Tottenham have said they have no idea when Lennon will be fit and if given the choice it is and if Capello had to choose between the two, I know which one the Italian would have rather have with him in South Africa.

Comments

Posted by Mark Bywater on 18/03/2010

I agree with you that Beckham is an impact player, but as for Lennon being No 1 contender for that berth begs the question what about the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott and even James Milner. I concede that Milner won't have the pace of the former three but he is an immense talent and can play left, right or central and he is an accomplished finisher in front of goal...if we go to a penalty shoot out I'd want him there.
My greater concern is on the England left side, do we look at Downing, Joe Cole or play Gerrard out of position again? Barry is surely the natural choice. The lack of good quality left sided players has been a let down for many England teams over the years. If only Ryan Giggs hadn't chosen his mother's country!
The display against Egypt was poor in the first half and was much better when Carrick, SWP and Crouch came on but we can't afford to wait for the 2nd half in World Cup matches or we won't get past the quarter finals again.

Posted by CK on 24/03/2010

This is my team for the world cup: Based on form and hopefully fitness in case of ashley cole.
i have no place for Walcott but i believe Milner will be one of the key performers in this years World Cup playing in any other position than sole striker and keeper.

1. James
2. Hart
3. Terry
4. Ferdinand
5. Upson (wishing was carragher)
6. Jagielka
7. Ashley cole
8. Baines
9. milner
10. Richards
11. Ashley young
12. Lampard
13. Barry
14. downing
15. Joe Cole
16. Agbonlahor
17. Wright phillips
18. Lennon
19. Gerrard
20. Rooney
21. Defoe
22. Crouch
23. Zamora

Posted by ken vallender on 16/04/2010

I agree that David Beckham would have been an ace card to play near the end of a tight game with his deadly free kicks and superb crossing of the ball which Peter Crouch would probably get on the end of,if not to score but set up others for a chance at goalMay I suggest that the other David B.would fill this role perfectly?

Post your comment

Name:

Email Address:

Comments:

characters left

About

Alex Livie found his way to ESPN after learning his trade with Sky Sports, Setanta Sports and Eurosport. He is running out of companies with sport in their name so has made it his raison d'être to ensure ESPN.co.uk has the website it deserves.