McClaren hints at Beckham recall

zocoss SG

England coach Steve McClaren has admitted David Beckham's return to form for Real Madrid has given him a selection "problem". The midfielder, 31, has not played for England since McClaren took over as coach after the World Cup last summer.

Beckham also found himself omitted from the Real team after agreeing to join LA Galaxy in the summer, but has impressed on his return in their last two games.

"It gives me a problem, one of the problems you welcome," McClaren said. "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," he added.

Beckham was named man-of-the-match in Real's Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday, and McClaren is full of admiration for the way he has battled back into the side.

He said: "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."

Reports of Beckham's possible recall follow a poor recent run under McClaren from England, during which they have lost two and drawn two in four matches.

Patrik SG

Want to call,den call.
Dun want to call den dun call.
Dun need hint.
Trying to create publicity?
Rolling Eyes

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

he wants to recall becks but dont wanna lose face Laughing

stellazio SG

but seriously, once beckham moves to america, it is the end of his international career. because the standard there is nowhere near the standard of europe.

so if he wants to win his final 6 caps to reach 100, better send mclaren some money. Laughing

zocoss SG

Owen: Get Becks back, Mac

OWEN HARGREAVES reckons anyone who doubts David Beckham can win an England recall is mad. The clamour for Golden Balls to return to his throne is growing thanks to his outstanding form since returning to the Real Madrid side. Beckham has twice saved the neck of under-fire Real coach Fabio Capello. Now he is being touted to spare the blushes of national boss Steve McClaren six months after Sven Goran Erikssons successor seemed to end his international career.

Beckham scored two weeks ago in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad with Capello knowing defeat would have seen him out of a job. Then, on Tuesday night, Beckham turned in a man-of-the-match display to earn Real a 3-2 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in the home leg of their last-16 knockout clash.

England midfielder Hargreaves was in the Bayern side and witnessed at close quarters exactly what Becks still has to offer. Whether McClaren loves Beckham or hates him, with crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers coming up in Israel and Andorra next month, can he afford to ignore him?

Hargreaves, for one, does not think he can. He has long admired Beckham and credits the former England skipper with making him feel he truly belonged in the national squad when others were doubting him.

Now it is his turn to repay the compliment. Hargreaves said: If David plays like he did against us then he can play his way back into any team. It was great to see him back again and Ive always said anyone who writes off Becks is mad. He has such exceptional ability and is an exceptional passer and he showed that again. He was Reals most influential player against us by a country mile. Every chance seemed to come from his set-pieces or passes.

Becks completely controlled the flow of the game, especially in the first half. He was the key player basically in all their moves. McClaren had given no indications until this week he was ready to consider recalling Becks. Axeing the national skipper and one-time talisman was his first big mission statement. But can anyone still argue England are better off without Becks?

Aaron Lennon has failed to grab his chance and it is felt he lacks heart, despite having the pace McClaren requires. McClaren said of Beckhams form: It gives me a problem, one of the problems you welcome. Hes being professional and performing well for his club.

After every adversity hes had in his career, hes always bounced back and been professional and got on with his job. A month ago he was never playing for Real Madrid again yet here he is starring in a game against Bayern Munich and being man of the match.

Beckham has a crucial few weeks coming up. He is suspended for the weekends game against Atletico Madrid but returns to face Getafe the following weekend, Bayern in the return leg and a league trip to Barcelona.

The icing on the cake will be his return to Old Trafford with a European Select XI for a friendly on March 13. McClaren might just have to swallow his pride and bring the boy back. Beckham said: My ambition has never changed since the age of 13, even younger.

I always wanted to play for my country and I will always be available whether Im in Spain for the next four months, or whether Im in Los Angeles. I will always want to do well for my country.

used SG

the first thing he did when he was appointed manager was to axe becks. and now he wants him back. it shows how desperate he is right now

CKeer SG

X2. England is underperforming and his job is on the line. Mr. Green
Honestly, I missed his freekicks but not those rugby kind of penalties.

Cheers.
C.K

kenn3th SG

Score then ask him come back, treat him like treasure, then nvr score, throw him far far away and say until he like trash Rolling Eyes

if i were becks, i would stand up and say that he's not fit to be a coach, and ask if the whole of England agrees with him

ninefold9 SG

When Beckham spends enough time warming the seat with England International, he will then show Maclaren the way out

Getting Beckham back by judging solely on just one match performance is not enough. It is too early to be heaping praises on him - might make Beckham's head growing out of proportion.

It is more important to know the real character of a person.

ErikaChioBu SG

get beckham bak~~ otherwise once the time comes for him to go LA cnt get to c him play le. if he is still in the england squad still got chance to see him Mr. Green