Much ado about Beckham

The decision of Los Angeles MLS club, Galaxy, to bring David Beckham to the States – for all those millions – appears more and more ridiculous now, but not quite as ridiculous as England manager Steve McLaren’s about-turn on Beckham’s international career. Okay, maybe one can understand Galaxy’s decision. Afterall, the MLS has never enjoyed this much media buzz in its 11 year existence, and with crowds rushing in to catch a glimpse of Mr. Golden Balls, attendances at Galaxy games have increased and the club has already made a pretty buck on the deal. Whether that will translate to success on the field is another matter. So far, it has not - even if Beckham has weighed in with his fair share of assists and free-kicks – and the Messiah is now injured and out for the rest of the season. Cue another poor season for Galaxy. Now we’ll have to wait and see if the hype survives a long close season.

As for McLaren, the less said the better. An average club manager at Middlesbrough, he’s looked out of his depth at international level so far. Bringing back 31-year old Becks – after making such a huge show of dropping him after the world cup – only betrays the kind of lack of courage that is the hallmark of failure at this level. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Beckham had to make that unnecessary jaunt across the Atlantic for a mere friendly match against a far-from-full-strength Germany, and then dash back for another Galaxy match 2 days later. That would take its toll on a fully fit 20-year old player, let alone a veteran barely recovered from a long term ankle problem. But rather than try someone else – Liverpool’s Jermaine Pennant, perhaps or the resurgent Shaun Wright-Phillips – on that right flank, McLaren shipped in the old man and then gave him a full 90 minutes to boot. In a meaningless match! Now with Beckham crocked – along with Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard – McLaren will have to try that new face on the flank in the crucial Euro qualifiers against Israel and Russia. Very wise!

Frankly, I fail to understand this fuss about Beckham. Yes, he is a master at free-kicks and crosses. But what about the rest of the game? Never blessed with pace or dribbling trickery – like the likes of Pennant, SWP or Aaron Lennon - he more than compensated with hard work and that determination to succeed. I’ll admit that, at his best, Beckham gave everything on the field and I grew to admire his industry. But that was six years ago. Beckham has done precious little at international level since that free-kick that won a world cup berth against Greece back in 2001.

Now, if soccer were like American football, Beckham would be perfect as a kicker – just wheel him in for the corner kicks and free-kicks and put him back on the bench afterwards. If the Galaxy can convince FIFA to amend the rules - another Beckham rule, perhaps? - they might actually have a trophy to show for all their millions.