Beckham,s out of squad?

[the lawn mower]

From my point of view it only goes to show that the new England manager has more about him than the last one.
To many times in the past, most fans and England supporters have hyped the Beckham phenomenon up without any justification.
This Capello fella has got enough sence and balls to tell him that he is just one name from the dodgy England past.
Lets all hope that a new generation of players will achieve more than the last lot from the Beckham era.

onward - and upward

[Geoff]

Strange that... when McLaren dropped him that view certainly wasn't shared by the public about 'out with the old, in with the new'... hmmm

Personally think anyone that has been a great servant for his country should be allowed his 100th cap in such a non competitive match, after which he can be thanked for his services and 'retired'. That way everyone is happy.

[ugly duckling II]

i recall Nasser Hussain retiring after 98 or 99 test matches, to enable the selectors the freedom to choose younger men, which he saw had to be of benefit for the future of the England team.

what price a similar gesture in the honourable world of top flight footy

[Fingers]

After Englands dismal performance against Croatia and Beckham being probably the only bright spark in that game I am surprised he isnt included or certainly given the oppotunity to prove his fitness at an England training camp.

In Beckhams defence he doesnt simply want to get to 100 caps and retire he wants to continue playing for England for a few more years. I dont think it would be a situation of right Ive got 100 and now I'll retire, he will make himself available for selection all the time he's still playing football. I still struggle to beleive we have 22-25 better players than Beckham available to Capello.

[The Horse]

should be in the squad - purely on the basis he is still (sadly) one of the best 23 english players.

Not a starter these days granted but 20 minutes when a games tight and with his delivery??

I will have money on capello's first competitive match squad Beckham will be in it

[Max Power]

I think Capello has made the correct choice for this squad.

Beckham is currently not playing at all due to it being out of season so he can't judge his form as he has none. Therefore he will also not be match fit.

I don't think the door is closed on him though but I wouldn't like to see him given 1 more cap through sentiment. If he is to get back into the squad and play it should be because he is there through merit and is part of Capello's future plans.

[Gainzy]

After Englands dismal performance against Croatia and Beckham being probably the only bright spark in that game I am surprised he isnt included or certainly given the oppotunity to prove his fitness at an England training camp.

In Beckhams defence he doesnt simply want to get to 100 caps and retire he wants to continue playing for England for a few more years. I dont think it would be a situation of right Ive got 100 and now I'll retire, he will make himself available for selection all the time he's still playing football. I still struggle to beleive we have 22-25 better players than Beckham available to Capello.

I agree. He said a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to carry on playing until the 2010 World Cup - might be a bit optimistic but if he stays in shape he will always be able to ping those crosses in and as Fingers rightly said, he is still currently among the best 22 players we have available.

I think Capello has his reservations about Beckham (he dropped him at Madrid) and Becks will sruggle to get that 100th cap. Being in-form for Madrid and earning a recall one thing, but for LA Galaxy?? Unless Becks comes back to the Prem (and I wouldnt rule that out as Posh is apparently not loving the states) then I think he can kiss his England career goodbye.

[joey_nicks]

I think Capello has made the correct choice for this squad.

Beckham is currently not playing at all due to it being out of season so he can't judge his form as he has none. Therefore he will also not be match fit.

I don't think the door is closed on him though but I wouldn't like to see him given 1 more cap through sentiment. If he is to get back into the squad and play it should be because he is there through merit and is part of Capello's future plans.

think thats spot on. capello would probably be worried about his fitness, given beckham has been in brazil for a few days promotion his academies and hasnt had a competitive game for a long time. he knows beckhams class (he was a assive factor in winning capello the league at real) i defintiely think he will be in the squad for the qualifiers.

i think players who should be called up - bentley, young, agbonlahor and i think rio ferdinand should be skipper

[anorak]

Being in the the top 20-25 players in the country is not really relevant - it is being amongst the best 2 or 3 in his position that surely matters!

[jimmy_k]

Becks is still a quality player with loads of experience. He wheres his heart on his sleeve. Becks every time no doubt!