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**gclark** · (This post was last modified: 03-21-2008 05:02 PM by gclark.)

David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for the friendly international against France in Paris on Wednesday. It presents the former captain with the opportunity to win his 100th cap after he was left out of Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland. Beckham's lack of match fitness in February kept him on the sidelines, but his return to pre-season action with LA Galaxy has persuaded Capello to include him in an initial 30-man party.

Young Arsenal striker Theo Walcott has been included, while highly-rated Middlesbrough defender David Wheater earns his first call-up after a series of impressive displays. Portsmouth full-back Glen Johnson has been selected, with Gabriel Agbonlahor earning his chance after missing out on the Switzerland game through injury. Experienced Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard are back after missing the Swiss clash through injury. Capello named Steven Gerrard as captain in Terry's absence last time out, and it remains to be seen whether the Liverpool skipper will retain the armband. The 30-man squad will be trimmed to 23 on Saturday evening by the Italian tactician.

Full England Squad

Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Kirkland (Wigan).

Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott (Everton), Upson (West Ham), Woodgate (Spurs).

Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Beckham (LA Galaxy), Jenas (Spurs), Hargreaves (Man Utd), J Cole (Chelsea), Young (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Bentley (Blackburn).

Strikers: Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Owen (Newcastle), Rooney (Man Utd), Crouch (Liverpool), Defoe (Portsmouth).

**gclark** · (This post was last modified: 03-21-2008 05:06 PM by gclark.)

What a dissapointment Sad

i thought Mark Noble was gonna get his first call up as Pearce Left him out of the U-21's. But then again he has not played much the last few wekks because of injury Sad

Finally Becks can get his 100th cap and stay out of it! we need to look to the future now as our next tournament isnt untill 2010!

bluenose1975 · 03-22-2008, 02:59 AM

about time they give him his 100th cap i think the guy is a legend and a great servant to the english game i just hope he gives up on international football after this game and goes out on a high

redcanuck · 03-22-2008, 03:23 AM

With Beckham being named in the current squad there is a chance he will get his 100th Cap for England. I am undecided about this.

I feel that Beckham's time on the international scene has come and gone and what with him taking early retirement and playing in a Sunday league, does he deserve the 10th Cap?

The 100th Cap is symbolic, it means something to be in the same category as the following;

125 Peter Shilton 1970-1990 (Leicester, Stoke, Nottm Forest, Southampton, Derby County)
108 Bobby Moore 1962-1973 (West Ham United)
106 Sir Bobby Charlton 1958-1970 (Manchester United)
105 Billy Wright 1946-1959 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Beckham has been a good performer over the years for England and he has always wore his heart on his sleeve, when it comes to his country, but I would not rank him up there with the all time English greats.

I don't' think that Beckham will be considered when England next plays a competitive game sometime in September or October ( I maybe wrong on that) and I think that Beckham's successor, whether it is Bentley, Lennon or Shaun Wright-Philips should be given a long run in so that he would be ready for the meaningful games.

I don't feel that it is right to give Beckham the 100th Cap on sentimental reasons, if he is not good enough anymore than he should remain on 99 Caps.

**gclark** · 03-22-2008, 03:46 AM

True but he has played well for england on recent ocasions, I still believe we need to look to the future from now though!

**huzup** · 03-22-2008, 04:39 AM

it's in a game where no-one will be taking any interest...hopefully this'l be the line under the DB show.

abcdef · 03-22-2008, 09:31 PM

He still potentially has a lot to offer England, being part of the squad. Even if he isnt chosen on the pitch. He has been a great servant, and if he does continue to perform and be one of the top few midfielders available then he should be in the squad on merit. None of the others, Bentley Lennon or WP, have convinced me enough that they deserve the spot outright. Bentley especially can learn from Beckham as their games are very similar.
Beckham should not get the cap on sentimental grounds, but if it was purely sentiment he would have played against switzerland. If it is sentiment, he will be made captain for the game (as Capello is still chopping and changing). This wont happen. If the man in charge thinks he has a future for England then we should get behind him. Just like we should always get behind the team.
Fact is, we now have a world class manager in charge. Not a muppet. If he cant do it no one can, and the English just have to accept that we are just, in fact, shit.

**joshbrfc** · 03-31-2008, 08:17 AM

Beckham has been an inspiration throughout his career and has been one of our best players over the past ten years.. he is getting old now and Bentley is looking the better player.. shame really