Fabio Capello got his first taste of the English obsession with David Beckham this morning: acres of newsprint dedicated to a man whose achievement of 100 caps against France tomorrow will say more about the standard of English footballers than many would care to admit.
There is a reason that Beckham’s career never stalled on 94 caps after the 2006 World Cup finals and it is only partly to do with his own enduring, if diminished, powers. Sadly Beckham’s re-emergence has as much to do with the failure of the next generation to prove that they are worthy of a place ahead of the players who have dominated the England team for virtually the last five years. The so-called golden generation is hanging around as much as by default as anything else.
It is not beyond the bounds of plausibility that Capello, who arrives in Paris this evening, could pick a team tomorrow that includes Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Owen Hargreaves, Joe Cole, Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney. All of them started Sven Goran Eriksson’s last game in charge against Portugal in the World Cup quarter-finals on 1 July 2006. Don’t forget Michael Owen, injured then, is still one of Capello’s strikers this week.
Capello has taken a look at those who might compete for a place and decided they are simply no better than the existing mob. Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young did not even make the squad this time. Which means that the only two new outfield players who have forced his way into the reckoning to compete for a place in the first XI since July 2006 are David Bentley and Micah Richards – the latter of whom is injured.
It’s not much of a recommendation for the progress of young English talent. Beckham’s achievement of 100 caps in more than 11 years is remarkable in one respect but it also tell a sad story about those who would seek to displace him.
Good point, and a comparison with France's new golden generation is rather depressing. However, I think that Shaun Wright-Philips, while lacking Beckham's pinpoint accuracy in freekicks, has been much more consistent in his England performances than Beckham in the last couple of years.
Posted by: Shege | 25 March 2008 at 12:22 PM
We're too anxious to throw out the bath water. I see nothing wrong with picking the best players, whatever their age. Why abandon good players just for the sake of it? It's not an English peculiarity to pick the same players time and time again. Look at Portugal. They had a golden generation that continued to play long beyond their supposed 'prime'. Remember when Scolari had to bring Figo back. People said Ronaldo was past it before the 2002 WC but he ended up top scorer and the main reason Brazil won. He was still the best available, despite a catalogue of injuries. Romario was abandoned (partly through his own idiocy) scandalously early. Maldini and Zidane were still helping their teams to big finals well into their 30s. Vieira is a spent force at Champions League level, which is why Wenger got rid, but France still rely on him and he does a job for them. Players are fitter these days so 36 is not a problem for some players. It depends on the player, their injuries and the role they adopt. David James is a better keeper now than at 25. Infinitely better because he is calmer, more focused, more phlegmatic - good qualities in a keeper. Ryan Giggs doesn't beat people with pace over 50 yards now, as he used to, but he still beats them with his reading of the game. So does Paul Scholes. And anyway, our so-called golden generation only really came together in 2004, when we should have won in Portugal, so to keep them together for 6 years (til South Africa) is not excessive, providing you add a few new faces. If the players are still performing at the highest level and they have the desire, let's milk them. To me, Beckham's legs and stamina have gone, which is why Bentley will start against France, and rightly so, but I suppose Capello knows that in a certain match situation Beckham is more reliable than Wright-Phillips or Lennon. Players like Rooney, and Bentley, who can immediately look at home at the highest level, are rare beasts. Look at Joe Cole, it's taken him years to establish himself and I'd still argue he isn't a certainty. So we have to be patient - something the Press are particularly bad at, because you boys need news - and let the likes of Downing settle in, not right them off after one bad game. If that had happened with Beckham he would have made about 10 caps. Shilton might have made 5.
Posted by: Ashley Slater | 25 March 2008 at 12:42 PM
Don't give up on the young lads. Some athletes naturally come into their own later than others, and I think we have gotten into a tendency to give up on players who are not at their peak by age twenty. There's much talk about the failures of the English youth system to nurture our youngsters, but with all the money riding in the Premiership there is not the time there used to be for teams to develop youngsters either.
When clubs can afford to fill their rosters by shopping the world (UK included) for players currently in peak form, fair enough, but that doesn't leave many spots for lads with great potential to get the elite experience they might need to fulfill it.
The one thing you can say about Capello is that he has a good eye for talent and he knows how to move his players around the pitch to get the best of them. And he's big on experienced players mentoring youngsters. He has his squad for so few days a year I wonder if a national team manager can make an impact on player development, but it will be interesting to find out.
Posted by: Bella | 25 March 2008 at 01:01 PM
Sorry Ashley, our comments came up at the same time or I wouldn't have repeated so much of what you had already said. Best luck to the boys on Wed, whoever gets chosen!
Posted by: Bella | 25 March 2008 at 01:07 PM
Why call it a golden generation in the first place? I don't remember England winning anything in the last two decades... You seem to cling to the belief that England is a great footballing nation despite the consistent poor results. Even not qualifying for the world cup and you still talk of golden generation...
Posted by: Greg | 25 March 2008 at 01:51 PM
Where are you from Bella?
Argentina, Portugal, Spain have had pretty good teams and they have won nothing.
Players like Beckham, Owen, Lampard, Gerrard are very talented and have shown great success with their club hence they're called the golden generation.
Highly unfortunate that they haven't won anything.
Posted by: football fan | 26 March 2008 at 05:34 PM
I said bella. I should've said " where are you from greg"?
Posted by: football fan | 26 March 2008 at 05:35 PM
Why do we insist on comparing the current England squad to the 66 team .Todays football is played at about 60 mph faster than then .David Beckham shows respect to the past legends and is sniped at for it. Get behind your team with the same passion that Beckham puts into every cap he gets.
Posted by: ralph | 26 March 2008 at 06:08 PM