DAVID BECKHAM has proved Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello
wrong but can he do the same at international level to Steve
McClaren?
Having been dropped from McClaren's first England squad at the
start of the season and excluded ever since Beckham's career
appeared to hit an all-time low last month when he was told he
would never play for Madrid again. Capello had been angered by the
ex-England skipper's decision to quit Spain in the summer to move
to America with LA Galaxy.
But Real's form in La Liga dipped dramatically and, facing a third
straight defeat, Capello handed Beckham a recall for the weekend
game at Real Sociedad. The iconic midfielder responded in the best
way possible. With his side a goal down, Beckham curled in a
37th-minute free-kick to equalise and inspire a comeback that saw
Madrid run out eventual 2-1 winners.
According to the local media, it also saved Capello his job. Now it
is England boss McClaren who is feeling the heat. Wednesday's 1-0
defeat by Spain left the Three Lions without a win in four
international matches and for the first time the under-fire coach
appears to be contemplating a U-turn.
Asked whether he would consider using Beckham, McClaren said that
he had never "closed the door" on the possibility of us seeing him
in an England shirt again. England face two crunch Euro 2008
qualifying ties in March, away against Israel and Andorra, and two
victories are needed to boost our hopes and keep McClaren in his
job.
During a run of two draws and two defeats, England's midfield have
struggled to find the right balance with Frank Lampard out of form
on the international stage and Shaun Wright-Phillips and Scott
Parker failing to impress on their outings. There has also been a
distinct lack of success or indeed imagination from free-kicks and
corners in the absence of former dead-ball specialist Becks.
Beckham believes he still has a lot to offer his country and
McClaren may now be forced to agree with him.
