He has the same initials and plays in the same position so David Bentley will hope that his 15million pounds transfer to Tottenham will help him dislodge David Beckham once and for all from the England team.
The 23-year-old has never seemed short of confidence and the midfielder declared that he was ready to step up “to the next level” by leaving the homely surrounds of Blackburn Rovers after just two years for a return to London’s bright lights.
Bentley, of course, began his career in the youth ranks at Arsenal, leaving the club after becoming frustrated by his lack of first-team opportunities. It is not often Arsene Wenger errs in his handling of young players but Bentley may come back to haunt the Arsenal manager if he shines for their north London neighbours.
“I grew up there but it is not a problem for me. My heart is at Tottenham now,” Bentley told reporters after signing in at an otherwise nervous White Hart Lane.
Bentley supported Spurs as a boy and said he dreamed of emulating the feats of Paul Gascoigne in the white of club and country. Being at Tottenham has never harmed a player’s England prospects in the past and Bentley is determined to grab his opportunity.
“It is entirely in my hands - it is up to me to perform,” said a player whose impressive dead-ball skills and passing range from the right have earned him six England caps already.
More than once he has been quoted as saying he is ready to replace Beckham in the England team and now is his moment to deliver. If so, it could well be Bentley and not Beckham filling the No7 shirt on England’s journey towards the World Cup in South Africa.
PHOTO: England’s Bentley (l), Beckham (c) and Walcott stand together during a soccer training session in Port of Spain, May 30. REUTERS/David Moir
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6 comments so far
I feel sorry for Aaron Lennon if this means he is going to be a reserve. He is very nippy and tough to defend against while his distribution is improving. I would have asked for him in a swap deal if Id been on Blackburn’s board.
- Posted by MarkRemember Lennon was in the last World Cup squad when Bentley was nowhere. Maybe Bentley will end up on the left for Spurs though if Malbranque’s leaving, he can play there.
Why not put them both on the field and see who shows the best? Bentley should not burn any bridges with the most influential player on the planet. After all, Beckham’s next step is to be a Pro Soccer owner and may be his emplyer some day. Bentley is still wearing diapers…..
http://www.soccershop.com
- Posted by kovosoccerNo way should Bently replace Beckham, Beckham has more experience and more quality, If Bently was that good of a player Arsene wenger would not have released him, Bently to me is really over rated anyone can do what he does, and in my opinion no one in the world can do what beckham does and that includes saving his country everytime they fall
- Posted by EmmaOBentley takes another step towards filling Beckham’s boots
He has the same initials and plays in the same position so David Bentley will hope that his 15million pounds transfer to Tottenham will help him dislodge David Beckham once and for all from the England team.
- Posted by 52.co.nzThe 23-year-old has never seemed short of co…
At 23 he is still struggling to push out a 32 year old from the squad. This simply shows the difference in class of the 2 players
- Posted by ObidikeThey have the same initials but that is all they have in common. Beckham is 32 and still a overpowering presense in the midfield. If you take Beckham out you take out a strong playmaker and an incredible asset to the England team.
http://www.soccershop.com
- Posted by kovosoccer