Fabio Capello must be cursing his bad luck as he prepares to name his first England squad.
Lumbered with David Beckham on 99 caps, Capello is grappling with the delicate question of whether to grant him a 100th in next week’s friendly against Switzerland.
The debate over the Beckham milestone is enough to make you forget that Capello actually has a rather more important matter to attend to - transforming a team who couldn’t even qualify for Euro 2008.
If he bows to sentimentality and plays the former England captain in recognition of his service, he will be accused of being weak by those who feel the shake-up of an ineffective team needs to start immediately.
If he leaves the influential midfielder out, Capello could prematurely face the boos and headlines that taunt England managers when results start going wrong. Whatever he does, it seems he cannot win.
What do you think? Should Capello win the fans’ favour by including Beckham despite his lack of match practice, after all it’s just a friendly and the guy has worked hard for his country over the years?
Or should Capello exclude him — as he did at Real Madrid — and concentrate on trying out some new faces who might restore England’s battered pride?
On the subject of new faces, there has been a lot of media speculation that Capello may give a “surprise” call-up to Reading striker Dave Kitson.
While Reading is not the usual place to find England players, it can hardly be a surprise if the England manager calls up the Premier League’s top-scoring Englishman, can it?
Sonia Oxley, London
PHOTO: David Beckham poses at a mobile phone launch in Beijing, Nov.24, 2007 REUTERS/Alfred Cheng Jin
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15 comments so far
the compromise might be to bring him on for 10 minutes at the end…but he may be expecting some sort of cap ceremony with a rock concert tribute thrown in.
- Posted by Mark MeadowsWith Bentley and Wright Phillips playing well on the right and the whippet-like Aaron Lennon finally over his injury problems, Capello is actually spoilt for choice and may feel adding a fourth candidate for the role is too much.
I suspect Capello cares very little one way or the other how he is portrayed by the media for this relatively inconsequential decision.
He may play Beckham (whether as a starter or as a late substitute) as a reward for his efforts for Real Madrid at the end of last season, helping to ensure Capello’s aura as a winner first and foremost was enhanced.
He may decide Beckham’s lack of competitive games, as he plays in a league with a different calendar (and arguably a lower standard of football) means he is unlikely to play any decisive part at this stage of his England tenureship (let’s face it, it’s also a time for experimenting)
All in all, I don’t think he’s that bothered by the media. He was under the spotlight at Madrid all of last season and as England manager he need only face it a few times a year.
http://allinwhite.blogspot.com
- Posted by GonzaloI know it would seem to make sense to give him a 10-minute trot out, and get it over with but I don’t think Capello will do that. He’s not being paid the big bucks* to be sentimental.
*I realise “big” doesn’t quite do justic to what capello is being paid. Prodigious pounds, anyone?
- Posted by Kevin FylanAccording to an article in the Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.j html?xml=/sport/2007/12/15/sfneng115.xml ) Capello’s starting salary is less than Eriksson’s though this will increase markedly if he stays past the 2010 World Cup.
On paper (i.e. results) he is a more successful club manager than Eriksson ever was. What other criteria can you use to figure out a manager’s worth? The FA clearly wanted him on board as soon as possible after sacking McClaren, so they paid the asking price, more or less.
http://allinwhite.blogspot.com
- Posted by GonzaloIt’ll be very interesting to see which players are chosen for the friendly. Could there be some surprises?
- Posted by Mary WalderOh who cares, we’re on a hiding to nothing anyway. If we win and Becks gets his 100 caps, hoorah, it don’t mean anything. No one considers England as a serious side now anyway, let him run out, strut his stufff and display his latest hairstyle/tattoo, perhaps we’ll then see the back of him. If this new guy really wants credibilty send him packing, and get on with the real job of re-building this poor excuse of an England side.
- Posted by GeorgieFunny how England are grabbing at scraps now. Winning a friendly match does not regain you any credibility. Capello has a tough mountain to climb.
And on that note of an insignificant match, give that man his 100th cap, he has delivered for england more than Lampard haha
- Posted by Five Times[…] I bet Spain coach Luis Aragones wishes he only had to worry about whether to give David Beckham a run-out for his 100th cap. […]
- Posted by Bojan tops list of questions for Spain coach Aragones - Reuters Soccer BlogHi Five Times. I agree he deserves his 100th cap, as reward for constant commitment to England, but I don’t think Capello is going to start out like that. I expect Beckham will get his chance further along the line.
- Posted by Kevin FylanAnd Gonzalo, Sven may have got more, but it’s still a lot of dosh. Whether he’s worth it is quite another matter.
Lets just consign Beckham to history-a man who cared far more about what it meant to him than his role for the team. How many tournaments was he a major part of us getting an early exit from by being sent off-missing penalties-chickening out of tackles etc.
Watch his last game in the World Cup-thats right the one where he throws up becauses he is so unfit and throws the captains arm band to the ground rather than hand it on to Gary Neville his best friend.
Sorry but he had a few good games for England otherwise it was all about him and hang team
- Posted by Margo TaylorBritish media reports say he is definitely OUT of the squad. It will be 1530 GMT
- Posted by Mark Meadows[…] Beckham may still get 100 caps, but at least he knows he’ll have to work for it. […]
- Posted by Tough nut Capello makes the right call in overlooking Beckham - Reuters Soccer Blog[…] not … sara ford’s weblog - Last Updated - 3 hours ago Request a Trackback Will the Cap crown Beckham? Fabio Capello must be cursing his bad luck as he prepares to name his first England squad. […]
- Posted by Connecting News, Commentaries and Blogs at NineReports.com -Put Beckham on for 5mins.Just to keep him happy.
- Posted by YusufCapello is doing the right thing by picking fresh players.
England needs a young full of energy and speed team.Who can run and control the ball.
now is the chance for the young players to show what they can do and bring football home.
Viva England
I’m a huge England fan from Malaysia. Everybody knows Beckham is one the best specialist passers of the ball and in deadball situations. He is one of the most hardworking and disciplined Englishmen who is always proud to put on the England shirt, though he is no extraordinary player the likes of other football greats.
I’m sure we appreciate his services for his country, but it’s sad to know that England still needs him, given that he is past his prime and yet, no one has yet to fill his shoes with same calibre or impact as he did. Really sad, mediocre England!!
- Posted by wilson