The Hindu : Sport / Football : David Beckham is indispensable now

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Friday, Jun 08, 2007
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David Beckham is indispensable now

Former captain vows to play in Euro 2008 finals

TALLINN: David Beckham has made himself indispensable to England — and almost impossible for manager Steve McClaren to dismiss him again.

A pair of trademark deliveries to Peter Crouch and Michael Owen from the right flank by the former captain sparked England to a 3-0 win at Estonia on Wednesday, steadying its European Championship fortunes and likely quieting the critics of McClaren.

Whatever McClaren thought he was gaining by getting rid of Beckham after the World Cup, he can't afford to be without him now.

``You can see it. You know it and I know it: he's immense,'' McClaren said. ``He has set up three of the four goals we have scored since he came back and that's why he's in the team. David Beckham is a very, very good player and deserves to be in the team.

``He got a knock early on but didn't want to come off and when he's playing like that he's invaluable to us.''

Crowd's favourite

Chants of ``There's only one David Beckham'' reverberated around Tallinn's 10,000-capacity A Le Coq Arena.

Before starting in Tallinn, the Real Madrid midfielder wooed the Wembley crowd last week at Wembley in a 1-1 friendly draw with Brazil.

The visiting fans were left wondering how much brighter England's European Championship chances could be if the Real Madrid midfielder hadn't been dismissed last year.

McClaren wouldn't answer when pressed by if he had any regrets about dismissing Beckham.

With five rounds remaining, England trails Group E leaders Croatia and Israel by three points.

``I would love to be in the next squad,'' Beckham said. ``Steve has made it clear that if I am performing and playing as I have been then I will be in the squad.''

Despite wining plaudits since returning from international exile, with a new career at the Los Angeles Galaxy due to begin in July, McClaren wouldn't guarantee Beckham's future selection.

In August, England plays Germany in a friendly, followed by the next qualifier against Israel in September.

``We'll see when the next squad is announced,'' McClaren said. ``He answers everybody with his performance on the field and I think he's done that in the last two games.''

Beckham, who has 96 caps, is determined to continue serving his country.

``I will definitely be at the Euros,'' the 32-year-old said. ``I believe I can carry on playing for a long time. '' — AP

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