David Beckham

[Roman Abramovich]

when all is said and done and the history books are written and the hype dies down and the looks go. David beckham has to in my opinion be one of the most professional footballer players in the world.

Look what fergie done to him and he never came out and battered him like other former bitter utd players did. Even in the season he was about to go and not in the side everytime he came on he gave it his all.

Now look whats happened to him with england. I dont care what anyone says but david beckham not in an england squad is playing to the media, the fans and everyone else. He's not out of the squad on lack of ability, lack of doing a job, lack of passion, lack of effort. Hes out because mcclaren figured it was a way to show in the words of that muppet stan "im the gaffer, the buck stops with me".

Then you look at whats capello has done to him, because of contract situations capello tells him he'll never kick a ball again for madrid. Then when capello looks like hes in trouble brings beckham back into the team and the guy busts a gut for him.

He may have a fuckin brainless twit in his bed, he may even be brainless. He may have been the first boyband type footballer and he may be going to america too soon. But no matter what contraversy he has faced done through the years the guy stayed a model professional on the field. He never "really" bad mouthed any manager that shat on him and now when he has the ample money to buy out his contract at madrid (3 million only) and say fuck ye. He doesnt. He keeps his head done and does a job for them when called upon.

Fair dues golden balls. I respect you.

[RonnyB]

My only gripe with him was the celebrity became more in important than the footballer. From a United point of view the goal he got against Greece was one of the worst things that could have happened. He became the darling of every english supporter & all was forgiven after France '98. After the injury against Deportivo I dont think he ever regained his form at United again & £25m represented good business.

As a footballer he was/is limited in what he does but he used his strengths to excess at times with his free kicks & crosses. Seems a bit of a twit but I reckon thats down to living with the stupid bint he married.

McClaren dropping him was ridiculous though. England got 6 goals in the WC & he contributed to 3 of them. He was playing better for England than Lampard at the time but was made scapegoat for Sven's failings & McClaren's power trip. He's better off without England now.

[Lamps]

Now look whats happened to him with england. I dont care what anyone says but david beckham not in an england squad is playing to the media, the fans and everyone else. He's not out of the squad on lack of ability, lack of doing a job, lack of passion, lack of effort. Hes out because mcclaren figured it was a way to show in the words of that muppet stan "im the gaffer, the buck stops with me".



He's out because he is finished as a player at that level. He was a passenger on that team. Next

[Forsberg]

At United Beckham benifited from having a tight leash from Fergie. He was restricted to a small littke area of the pitch where he was effective , and for the most part he was . His problem came when he joined madrid , a club that was essentially run by the egos of the players . Beckham suddenly got this notion that he should be this all encompassing midfieler who sprayed balls every which way and played glory pass after glory pass, rather than a functional right sided midfielder who was a good crosser and deaed ball specialist. I even remember him saiying something along the lines of wanting to be the "Quarterback" of the team .

But I agree with the original post . Other than being a victim of his ego , he's been a model professional in the way he's conducted himself , especially with the England situation , where he has been royally shafted by that wanker . What other players are good enough to replace him? Lennon? maybe , SWP? not a chance.

[FL4ZGN]

I'm sure anyone who has been to watch a football game at Old Trafford would agree that Beckhams work rate was always exceptional.

I first watched him at Old Trafford in 1997 i couldnt believe his work rate.

A top class professional.

How a guy who is not playing regular football for his club get in the England team before him is beyond me.

As far as i know he had four assists in the world cup. More than any other England player.

Give him his 100 caps and let him move on.

[Lamps]

Give him his 100 caps and let him move on.

you had me going til this

[parrotbait]

Saw his interview last night I was impressed by his attitude, a proper attitude of a footballer. He said he never retired from international football nor will he in the future, he will always be there if picked. He didn't throw a hissy fit when McClaren effectively tried to retire him. He's not a great player but does work hard and can provide something at times. As the great George Best once said on accepting the World player of the year runner up on Beckham's behalf : “He can't kick with his left foot, he can't tackle, he can't head the ball and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that, he's all right.”

[FL4ZGN]

you had me going til this

If you ask me thats all the guy wants. He has 94 or 95 as it stands.

You cant say that Wright Phillips deserves to be in the starting line up before him. In recent weeks he has kept Capello in a job, maybe he could do likewise for McClaren.

Even having him as an option on the bench would be a good move as far as i am concerned.

He and McClaren go back a few years to when they were both an United so unless something happened behind the scenes with them both i feel McClaren will do what most past English managers have done and buckle to the media pressure.

[RonnyB]

He's the in-form right sided player & McClaren needs results now, blooding players for the future is no good because if they dont do the business he's out of a job.

[Roman Abramovich]

its not the fact that becks isnt in the team or squad. its the fact its not up for consideration and thats just fuckin ridiculous. I cant understand managers like mcclaren. If i was him id be begging becks to always keep an open mind, not continually advising him to fuck off and stop commenting on england. david james got the same treatment it seems and he was quite professional too.

i suppose teddy is completley fucked.

[FL4ZGN]

its not the fact that becks isnt in the team or squad. its the fact its not up for consideration and thats just fuckin ridiculous. I cant understand managers like mcclaren. If i was him id be begging becks to always keep an open mind, not continually advising him to fuck off and stop commenting on england. david james got the same treatment it seems and he was quite professional too.

i suppose teddy is completley fucked.

In fairness Naff i think McClaren is fucked trying to accomodate both Gerrard and Lampard in the same team. McClaren recently suggested that Steven Gerrard had supplanted Beckham's role in the team: "We all know about David Beckham and his delivery from the right-hand side. But Stevie's set-plays and crosses from the right are as good as anybody in the world."

He then goes and plays Sean Wright Phillips on the right against Spain. He wants Lampard and Gerrard in the team and still had the cheek to try and get Paul Scholes to come out of retirement.

Its simple. Players who are playing well should be in the squad ala James & Campbell. Lampard & Gerrard imho cannot play together in the same midfield.

[STEVIEG]

I can't believe that McClaren hasn't gone near any of the Reading players yet

As for Beckham, i've watched most of Madrid's game this season and he has been all over the place when he has played-a couple of good crosses in the last couple of games in fairness and he has been professional, but he still got stupidly sent off on saturday

His ill-discipline at Madrid is hardly a suprise though given that team and the culture of the Galicticos (now nearly gone)

I agree with Forsbergs comments

Im also think the circus doesn't do his resepective teams any good but to be honest, i'm not bothered one iota about who plays for England or not

[FL4ZGN]

I can't believe that McClaren hasn't gone near any of the Reading players yet

As for Beckham, i've watched most of Madrid's game this season and he has been all over the place when he has played-a couple of good crosses in the last couple of games in fairness and he has been professional, but he still got stupidly sent off on saturday

His ill-discipline at Madrid is hardly a suprise though given that team and the culture of the Galicticos (now nearly gone)

I agree with Forsbergs comments

Im also think the circus doesn't do his resepective teams any good but to be honest, i'm not bothered one iota about who plays for England or not


That was extremely harsh Stevie.

He kicked out but the ref over reacted.

[STEVIEG]

He lashed out in a rage

the tackle was so bad he nearly missed the player

Straight red for me, just like the one at the World Cup in 98

[FL4ZGN]

He lashed out in a rage

the tackle was so bad he nearly missed the player

Straight red for me, just like the one at the World Cup in 98

The one on Simione (sp)?

The gayest tackle in history.

He would have felt more impact if beckham had farted on him.

[Roman Abramovich]

bit blinkered stevie.
just a bit.

on review......all over the place doesnt know what hes doing? or all over the place trying his hardest covering every blade o grass?

[mr m]

The most overated footballer in the history of the sport. A very good player and a decent guy but if he had red hair, freckles and met his missus down the local chipper then this thread wouldn't even exist.

[Lamps]

I'm with Stevie on this.
Beckham has been a passenger in most of his games for the last 3 years. I saw the second half of the game last saturday and he was only alright, but because its Beckham its hyped to the last.

Naff's semi-gay tribute thread needs to be closed

[Lamps]

bit blinkered stevie.
just a bit.

on review......all over the place doesnt know what hes doing? or all over the place trying his hardest covering every blade o grass?

all over the place like a headless chicken

[ho chi feen]

Beckham was being a spa by pulling this stunt of resigning the captaincy in the first place. Quite egotistical and unheard of. Far better players than him have retired from International football, but guess what? The opportunity is always there to persaude them to come back if ever the coach feels they're needed- Figo, Larsson, and Nedved being good examples. I've no great time for Second Choice Steve, but what Beckham did isn't right- firstly the pressure for McClaren to 'drop' him (I'm sure Steve would have been happier if he'd gone with a bit more dignity), and then the inevitable pressure to bring him back when things don't go well.

It is sad for him not to reach the 100 mark, but these things happen.

[FL4ZGN]

Can he still bend it?

[STEVIEG]

bit blinkered stevie.
just a bit.

on review......all over the place doesnt know what hes doing? or all over the place trying his hardest covering every blade o grass?

I watch all the games and i think he is trying too much in a team where there is anarchy

This is not like Ronaldo and Giggs changing wings or anything

As someone else said, he thinks he is an all encompassing player who can do it all and he regularly goes into the middle and trys to take over

He loses the ball way too much for me and he is a with a club who i refuse to get excited about

11 home games in La liga

12 goals for Madrid

Christ Wayne Rooney has probaly got that all season

Obviously Beckham hasn't always been playing but a couple of half decent perfromance aren't gonna change my overalla view of him

Sure he is a nice guy and all that

But so is Djemba Djemba

Beckham was one of uniteds greatest players from 1996 to 2003, he played a key role in their best ever season and he was a superb proefessional till 2002, but he thought he was bigger than the club and he had to be moved on

[Roman Abramovich]

I watch all the games and i think he is trying too much in a team where there is anarchy

This is not like Ronaldo and Giggs changing wings or anything

As someone else said, he thinks he is an all encompassing player who can do it all and he regularly goes into the middle and trys to take over

He loses the ball way too much for me and he is a with a club who i refuse to get excited about

11 home games in La liga

12 goals for Madrid

Christ Wayne Rooney has probaly got that all season

Obviously Beckham hasn't always been playing but a couple of half decent perfromance aren't gonna change my overalla view of him

Sure he is a nice guy and all that

But so is Djemba Djemba

Beckham was one of uniteds greatest players from 1996 to 2003, he played a key role in their best ever season and he was a superb proefessional till 2002, but he thought he was bigger than the club and he had to be moved on

see original two lines then....

[STEVIEG]

see original two lines then....

I agree that he will be looked back at with respect by United fans

Maybe not quite the level of respect they'll show Scholes, Hughes, Bruce, Giggs, Keane and Irwin but he was also at the club longer than greats like Cantona and Ince so he will be remembered with affection

As you well know, I don't think Fergie was out of order and i have always stood by that decision

[FL4ZGN]

McClaren: Beckham has given me a problem

“It gives me a problem, one of the problems you welcome,” McClaren told Sky Sports News.

“He’s being professional and performing well for his club – obviously that’s a problem I would rather have than not have. It’s interesting.”

McClaren added: “The reaction from every adversity he’s ever gone through in his career, he’s always bounced back and been professional and got on with his job.

“It’s pleasing to see that a month ago he would never play for Real Madrid again and there he is starring in a game against Bayern Munich and being man of the match.”

Beckham’s upturn in form has led to a clamour for his recall to the national side, which he captained until their exit from last summer’s World Cup.

Now he could be considered for a recall in next month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra.

[homer jay]

David Beckham has become the first Major League Soccer player to be shortlisted for FIFPro's World Best XI Player Awards.

The worldwide players' union have announced a 55-man shortlist for their third annual awards ahead of the announcement of the winners on October 5.

Members were invited to vote for a goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards.

The Barclays Premier League boasted the most nominees with Spain and Italy also dominant.

Champions League winners AC Milan topped the list of clubs with nine players shortlisted, followed by Manchester United (eight) and Barcelona, Chelsea and Real Madrid (seven).

Nine Englishmen are among the 55 compared to Italy's 11 and Brazil's seven.

The final World XI will be announced at 5th October 2007.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/ Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain/ Real Madrid), Petr Cech (Czech Republic/ Chelsea), Nelson de Jesus Silva 'Dida' (Brazil/ AC Milan), Edwin van der Sar (Holland/ Manchester United)

Defenders: ?ric Abidal (France/ Olympique Lyon), Daniel Alves (Brazil/ Sevilla), Roberto Ayala (Argentina/ Valencia), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy/ Real Madrid), Roberto Carlos da Silva (Brazil/ Real Madrid), Jamie Carragher (England/ Liverpool), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal/ Chelsea), Cristian Chivu (Romania/ AS Roma), Ashley Cole (England/ Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (England/ Manchester United), Philipp Lahm (Germany/ Bayern Munich), Ferreira Lucio (Brazil/Bayern Munich), Paolo Maldini (Italy/ AC Milan), Marco Materazzi (Italy/ Inter), Alessandro Nesta (Italy/ AC Milan), Carles Puyol (Spain/ Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Spain/ Real Madrid), John Terry (England/ Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia/ Manchester United), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy/ Juventus).

Midfielders: David Beckham (England/ Real Madrid), Anderson Deco (Portugal/ Barcelona), Micka?l Essien (Ghana/ Chelsea), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy/ AC Milan), Steven Gerrard (England/ Liverpool), Andr?s Iniesta (Spain/ Barcelona), Ricardo Kak? (Brazil/ AC Milan), Frank Lampard (England/ Chelsea), Claude Mak?l?l? (France/ Chelsea), Andrea Pirlo (Italy/ AC Milan), Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina/ Villareal/Boca Juniors), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/ Manchester United), Paul Scholes (England/ Manchester United), Clarence Seedorf (Holland/ AC Milan), Xavi (Spain/ Barcelona).

Forwards: Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria/ Tottenham Hotspur), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/ Chelsea), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/ Barcelona), Thierry Henry (France/ Arsenal), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/ Inter), Filippo Inzaghi (Italy/ AC Milan), Lionel Messi (Argentina/ Barcelona), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Holland/ Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Brazil/ Barcelona), Ronaldo (Brazil/ Real Madrid/ AC Milan), Wayne Rooney (England/ Manchester United), Carlos Tevez (Argentina/ West Ham United), Luca Toni (Italy/ Fiorentina), Francesco Totti (Italy/ AS Roma), David Villa (Spain/ Valencia).

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/news/story?id=467013&cc=5739
more here (http://fifpro.org/files/original/shortlist55.jpg)

as per usual with these things....

mockery ffs

[Lee Bushwacker]

I watch all the games and i think he is trying too much in a team where there is anarchy

This is not like Ronaldo and Giggs changing wings or anything

As someone else said, he thinks he is an all encompassing player who can do it all and he regularly goes into the middle and trys to take over

He loses the ball way too much for me and he is a with a club who i refuse to get excited about

11 home games in La liga

12 goals for Madrid

Christ Wayne Rooney has probaly got that all season

Obviously Beckham hasn't always been playing but a couple of half decent perfromance aren't gonna change my overalla view of him

Sure he is a nice guy and all that

But so is Djemba Djemba

Beckham was one of uniteds greatest players from 1996 to 2003, he played a key role in their best ever season and he was a superb proefessional till 2002, but he thought he was bigger than the club and he had to be moved on

8-)
Wrong. David's tart thought that he was too big for the club!

[RonnyB]

Homer, Beckham is worth his place in that list for helping Real to win La Liga especially when you consider a clown like Ibrahimovic also gets a nomination.

[homer jay]

Homer, Beckham is worth his place in that list for helping Real to win La Liga especially when you consider a clown like Ibrahimovic also gets a nomination.

i know what you're saying, but can't agree with ya. he's not a consistent or solid player by any stretch of the imagination. just because he has a few good games everyone blows their load over how he won the title for madrid. i know i'm getting a little hyperbolic here, but it's only to stress the point.

even tho i posted this in the beckham thread, the 'mockery' was meant to encompass a lot of the players that were picked, eg. van der sar (there are better keepers, but i'm nitpicking a small bit with his inclusion), cole (not up there this year imo), gerrard, lampard, makelele, tevez to name but a few.

[RonnyB]

i know what you're saying, but can't agree with ya. he's not a consistent or solid player by any stretch of the imagination. just because he has a few good games everyone blows their load over how he won the title for madrid. i know i'm getting a little hyperbolic here, but it's only to stress the point.

even tho i posted this in the beckham thread, the 'mockery' was meant to encompass a lot of the players that were picked, eg. van der sar (there are better keepers, but i'm nitpicking a small bit with his inclusion), cole (not up there this year imo), gerrard, lampard, makelele, tevez to name but a few.

All these awards are bullshit IMO. Its like the media nominate the players that make their job easier. For example when has Paul Scholes ever won a personal award barring the odd player of the month? In 2001 he was United's top scorer in Europe as well as having been their best player in the league when twas over at Easter. Who gets the awards? Sheringham.

Its the hype police that hand these things out a lot of the time.

[homer jay]

All these awards are bullshit IMO. Its like the media nominate the players that make their job easier. For example when has Paul Scholes ever won a personal award barring the odd player of the month? In 2001 he was United's top scorer in Europe as well as having been their best player in the league when twas over at Easter. Who gets the awards? Sheringham.

Its the hype police that hand these things out a lot of the time.

yeah, that's what i was trying to get at. i probably shouldn't have bothered posting it up as i'm always giving out about them.

[ho chi feen]

Homer, Beckham is worth his place in that list for helping Real to win La Liga especially when you consider a clown like Ibrahimovic also gets a nomination.

Clown?

Ibrahimovic has been one of the top 2 or 3 players in Serie A over the last few seasons.

[RonnyB]

Clown?

Ibrahimovic has been one of the top 2 or 3 players in Serie A over the last few seasons.

Anytime I've seen him play whether its the Champions League (especially for Juve) or Sweden he's been woeful & seems happy to turn on the showboating.

I'll take your word for it though seeing as you follow Serie A more than me.

[afeencalleddan]

I have to say I don't like Ibrahimovic either. He's in the C. Ronaldo category - likes taking the piss out of run of the mill sides but hasn't the balls to do it against the better teams. He seems to have a stinking attitude at times too.

[xvis]

Clown?

Ibrahimovic has been one of the top 2 or 3 players in Serie A over the last few seasons.

Absolutely. ...general opinion was that only Kaka was better than him in Italien football last year, ..so he is well worth being on the list.

[Edmund Blackwater]

Absolutely. ...general opinion was that only Kaka was better than him in Italien football last year, ..so he is well worth being on the list.
And totti.
obviously.

[xvis]

And totti.
obviously.

Even considered better than Totti in Serie A last year, ..he was majestic all year, only Kaka's European exploits had him ahead of Zlatan.