Beckham has been an average football for some years. As has been said, he has found his level. Unlike most 37 year old footballers on the downslope though, he has a publicity machine and stylist and is married to a an ex popstar. The clamour for him has nothing to do with football. It is all to do with the public wanting to lap up another dose of football's answer to TOWIE. Do we see Seb Coe trying to break back into the track team? Or Redgrave wanting to row again? As far as top class football is concerned, and their will be some on display, Beckham does not figure. But unlike the other people who helped secure the Olympics, he seems to think he deserves this as some of kind of pay off. Pearce, who I am no fan of as a coach/manager has done exactly the right thing. The Olympics tournament by the way, is far from a showcase, is highly thought of in some quarters (especially South America) and is seen as a good way of blooding young players into tournament football. But for our ambivalence about a GB team and the chance that FIFA will use it as leverage to combine the home nations, we probably would have too. Who knows we might not have been quite so tragic at the Euros and World Cup over the years.
I saw him running on the news the other morning. I thought that was exactly what he was doing. I just didn't understand why he was carrying a chunky stick.
I'd add to that certain people in charge of the English game being horrified that Welsh or Scottish youngsters could be blooded in the event.
Spurious?, no Luke, every other Olympian competitor is there having reached a standard on merit. If he wants some sort of Testamonial for being an allround good egg then go and do that.
I think Beckham's celebrity status blows things way out of proportion and affects people's judgement on the situation. I like(d) Becks, thought he was a cracking footballer and we won't see many better free kick takers than him in our life time. But it needs to be said, Pearce has to pick the over aged players who he thinks are best for the team, both on and off the pitch. We all know Pearce is as patriotic as they come so his decision to not select Becks is purely down to the fact he feels the lad can't offer him anything extra than what an under 23 player can and I think we should respect it. Beckham doesn't deserve a slot any more than the next guy regardless of how influential he was in bringing the games to the country. In fairness, from a footballing perspective, the standard of league he plays in nowadays probably doesn't help him. Giggs is still proving he can cut it in the best league in the world as is Bellamy (although he's a good what, 4 years younger? He's still an "old" player) and Richards was extremely unlucky missing out on the England squad for the Euro's and therefore I think deserves his chance to represent internationally. All in all, I genuinely feel for him as like Pearce, Beckham has always been hugely patriotic but the guys had a wonderful career with trophies and awards, I'm sure he'll get over it sooner or later, let someone who will never get the chances he's had to try and win some silverware.
Luke, I stopped reading after that sentence, its the principle. These people around the World clamouring to watch him can do exactly that if they want too these days by tuning into the MLS...but they don't. You're view is a complete contradiction of competetive sport, and one I will never share...so there!
I honestly can't believe some of the comments that have been posted on here about Beckham.......some people are so bloody fickle its unreal....to say that he couldn't at least put in the same 'shift' as Craig Bellamy is quite frankly a joke! It's no wonder England "Team GB" never have any success, Stuart Pearce should be very ashamed of himself!!!!
Agree with this (not surprisingly) - the crux of the matter as you have highlighted is that the Olympic football tournament is not an elite event, as it poses restrictions that prevent countries from playing the strongest players. If you then add into the equation that managers/clubs won't then even release the players that are eligible, together with the whole 'GB' issue (inclusion/non-inclusion from NI and Scotland etc etc) then you have a devalued event. Even if it may well be an opportunity for experience for younger players. On that basis the inclusion of a 'Beckham' would actually add to the evnt rather than detract from it. But thats just my opinion..... On a different note - at least Bale won't now have the opportunity to get injured during it!!
Beckham isn't as good as he was, but he'll give 100%. Other players are better than him but do you seriously think they will give 100% a couple of weeks before the season starts? Therefore contrary to many opinions I think there is a footballing reason to take Beckham, because he'll take it seriously and give it his best shot. I'd rather see that than better players only half-heartedly taking part. 100% of Beckham is better than 50% of a "better" player.
Vimhawk your footballinig reason for taking Beckham is based on your opinion not fact..you cant say the others wont give 100% or that he wont give 70%..plus 80% from Micah Richards might be more valuable than 100% from Beckham..the reasons for leaving him out are factual...hes far from the complete midfielder. Seb Coe said 'he will find him a job'..i think since he was an ambassador then that should be his role anyway..just because he has been promoting it does not mean he should star in it...shall we get Kelly Holmes in whilst we are at it?
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/david-beckham-olympic-snub-the-games-945463 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/brian-reade-column-on-samir-nasri-945808
