Is Beckham Right Man For England?
Can the former captain help lead the national side to Euro 2008?
Former England captain, David Beckham, received rave reviews after his performance against Brazil. But is he the long term solution to the team's midfield right side?
David Beckham is set to continue his triumphant return to the England fold by being named in the side, to face Estonia, in Wednesday’s Euro 2008 qualifier. Beckham’s performance in Fridays 1-1 draw against Brazil received rave reviews in the English media, but is Beckham the long term solution to England’s struggling qualification campaign?
England struggles
England, currently, lie fourth in Group E, five points behind leaders Croatia, and the game against Estonia, is a must win for England. Beckham was dropped by England manager, Steve McClaren, after poor performances in the 2006 World Cup; his return to form, for Real Madrid, has earned him a merited recall to the national set-up. Beckham’s return to the England side was regarded, by many, as a gamble; but a low key friendly against an under strength Brazilian team, followed by a game against an Estonian side, ranked 110th in the world, could hardly be regarded as a high risk strategy.
Right midfield dilemma
The pressure is on for McClaren and the national side: recent results have left England in a position where they may fail to qualify for the finals in 2008; something that would cost the English Football Association around £40 million in revenue, and McClaren his job. With Tottenham Hotspur’s Aaron Lennon out through injury, Mclaren’s options for the right hand side of England’s midfield are limited. Returning to the Sven-Goran Eriksson days of an out of position Steven Gerard is not in the manager’s plan, and a Premiership filled with foreign imports leaves Liverpool’s Jermaine Pennant as the only feasible option.
Beckham’s USA move
The key to this whole issue centres on Beckham’s high profile summer move to LA Galaxy. Numerous critics are questioning the quality and standard of the MLS, compared to top flight European football; the concern being, what impact will competing in the MLS have on Beckham’s, tactical awareness, skill and fitness levels? A possible solution, a return to the Premiership on loan, was recently dismissed by both Beckham and the LA Galaxy club.
Little room for manoeuvre
With England’s remaining Euro 2008 qualifiers to be completed by November 2007, and only an August friendly, against Germany, for experimentation, McClaren has left himself very little room for manoeuvre. The saving grace, for England and McClaren, is that Beckham may have enough in mind and body to help England out of their current situation and achieve qualification. But actually competing in the 2008 finals? For Golden Boy David Beckham, even that may be a step too far.
