View Full Version : Can Beckham get back into England's squad?
Matrim55
31 Jan 2007, 10:32 AM
Andrea Canales asks that question in her article today on ESPN, and I think the answer is a resounding "no". Even if he's league MVP, even if the Galaxy goes undefeated on a barnstorming tour of the G-14 and Beckham averages a goal and an assist per game, even if Aaron Lennon, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips are all run over by "lorrys" (that's Brit-talk for truck!), I just don't see any England manager calling in a guy who plays for MLS. They'd comb the Championship first.
Then again, Donadoni did play in Euro '96, didn't he?
MyHouse!
31 Jan 2007, 10:51 AM
England turned their collective backs on Beckham long before he signed for Galaxy FC.
pasoccerdave
31 Jan 2007, 10:55 AM
Then again, Donadoni did play in Euro '96, didn't he?
Yes, he did. I remember when he first joined the MetroStars, he was playing on a completely different level from the rest - great lead balls to the corner where a guy should have made a run, and such.
uniteo
31 Jan 2007, 11:15 AM
I vote yes, if only out of anticipation that they'll at least bring him in for a friendly as a send off match (that's the very least they can do)
Maybe during Euro 2008
Fires Of Fulham
31 Jan 2007, 11:27 AM
It's not like Beckham needs to be combed for. McLaren (and the rest of the world) knows what they're getting with Beckham. I think the answer is "maybe" due to Beckham being converted into an attacking midfielder for the Galaxy. Sure the England team's got too many of those already but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibilites.
I don't think he'll play in any meaningful matches for England again but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets called up the next time England visits the "new world" during the summer since he'll be one of the most match fit players available.
That's the advantage MLS has due to its summer schedule. The players are at their peak while the winter players are exhausted.
Beau Dure
31 Jan 2007, 11:35 AM
I'd agree with just about everything above. I'll add one wild-card -- if the MLS-MFL Champions League catches fire and turns into a great competition overnight, that might give him another platform on which to show his stuff.
Or if the Galaxy could make the World Club Championship, beat the Asia or Oceania representative and then give someone a good game in the semis.
MLS participation alone probably wouldn't cut it, though I'd agree he could get a ceremonial call-up or a summer fill-in role while he's match-fit.
cpwilson80
31 Jan 2007, 12:05 PM
Yes, if only because the last England-US friendly was such a success, I imagine we'll see another match here in the next year or two.
BigKris
31 Jan 2007, 12:32 PM
I was under the impression that these two things happened in reverse order - Becks wasn't in England's plans, so that helped grease the skids to get him to make the commitment to MLS, not the other way around.
IASocFan
31 Jan 2007, 12:46 PM
Plans are always subject to change!
I voted YES!
However, if the question was "Will ...", (meaning > 50% probability), then my answer would be NO!
Zak1FCK
31 Jan 2007, 01:17 PM
I thought he already retired from International play, so isn't this a moot question?
wva97
31 Jan 2007, 01:28 PM
I'd agree with just about everything above. I'll add one wild-card -- if the MLS-MFL Champions League catches fire and turns into a great competition overnight, that might give him another platform on which to show his stuff.
Or if the Galaxy could make the World Club Championship, beat the Asia or Oceania representative and then give someone a good game in the semis.
Here's why I don't agree. I think England is too proud under any condition to even suggest that the MLS can breed or maintain elite players. The FA has MLS by the balls. Can you imagine what would happen if the FA said, "Right, Becks has really done it up in America; let's take another look a'him."? MLS would gain instant credibility (albeit modest). And at the end of the day, someone over there with authority must be saying, "No f$*k'in way." for a variety of reasons.
MyHouse!
31 Jan 2007, 01:29 PM
I thought he already retired from International play, so isn't this a moot question?
No he just "resigned" as England captain. He still wanted to reach 100 caps but I think he'll be stuck at 94.
leg_breaker
31 Jan 2007, 01:48 PM
he FA has MLS by the balls. Can you imagine what would happen if the FA said, "Right, Becks has really done it up in America; let's take another look a'him."? MLS would gain instant credibility (albeit modest). And at the end of the day, someone over there with authority must be saying, "No f$*k'in way." for a variety of reasons.
Steve McClaren picks the team, not the FA. Beckham was dropped long before he thought about moving to MLS, so that would have nothing to do with it.
No matter what his credentials were as a player, Beckham was too big and influential and was being picked even if he wasn't on form or at full fitness. McClaren's first big decision was to drop him and declare a new era. Bringing him back would be a massive backwards step and an admission of defeat by McClaren.
I don't think he'll play in any meaningful matches for England again but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets called up the next time England visits the "new world" during the summer since he'll be one of the most match fit players available.
That's the advantage MLS has due to its summer schedule. The players are at their peak while the winter players are exhausted.
The fact that Beckham may be at peak form in the summer really doesn't mean much. Summer tours are typically an opportunity to give new young players a chance and Beckham hardly fits that bill.
Colm
31 Jan 2007, 02:04 PM
Nah, his England days are gone, mabey they might bring him back for one more friendly thats as far as it goes.
Here's why I don't agree. I think England is too proud under any condition to even suggest that the MLS can breed or maintain elite players. The FA has MLS by the balls. Can you imagine what would happen if the FA said, "Right, Becks has really done it up in America; let's take another look a'him."? MLS would gain instant credibility (albeit modest). And at the end of the day, someone over there with authority must be saying, "No f$*k'in way." for a variety of reasons.
So exactly what would this "variety of reasons" consist of? Don't be shy...
Dan Loney
31 Jan 2007, 02:34 PM
If England were to sink into the ocean tomorrow like Atlantis, and you had to build a new team based on expatriates and people lucky enough to be on vacation, and the new coach was a fourteen year old girl from Thailand who is president of the Southeast Asian David Beckham Worship Club....then MAYBE.
Fires Of Fulham
31 Jan 2007, 02:38 PM
If England were to sink into the ocean tomorrow like Atlantis, and you had to build a new team based on expatriates and people lucky enough to be on vacation
If England were to sink in the ocean and had to depend on a team of players who ply their trade outside of England they couldn't field an 11 that could beat San Marino.
dredgfan
31 Jan 2007, 02:49 PM
If England were to sink in the ocean and had to depend on a team of players who ply their trade outside of England they couldn't field an 11 that could beat San Marino.
owen hargraves +10
SportzNut21
31 Jan 2007, 02:53 PM
José +10
Fixed your post.