Drop Beckham . . .

No way should David Beckham be recalled to the squad [Oliver Kay, TheGame, December 31] , whether to get his 100th cap or for any other reason. He personifies everything that has been wrong with the England football team for the past ten years – egotism, underperformance, self-indulgence, obsession with money and image, lack of team spirit, failure (inability?) to accept the need to change and, last but not least, WAG culture.

We desperately need a complete break from the past and to move on, rebuild the entire squad and build for the future. Beckham is yesterday’s man – his wish to achieve his 100th cap is irrelevant to what English football needs. If Fabio Capello’s first decision is to recall Beckham, it will send all the wrong messages – he must signify a new direction and I am confident he will.

Ken Woffenden, via e-mail

Beckham is a yesterday player and his future games are with a club at the bottom of a “minor league”. Capello must look to the future and cast his net beyond the Premier League, where most of the players are foreign. Capello must forget Beckham and not give in to the sentimental plea to give him his 100th cap. Let’s face it, his 99 games have produced little success.

Ronald Kentsley, Devon

I am 100 per cent in agreement with the last sentence in Oliver Kay’s article: “Beyond sentiment, and there is no sentiment in Premiership football these days, there is little cause to pick a player whose best days, no matter what he and his champions may say, are long behind him.”

Beckham’s only interest in playing for England again is nothing to do with national pride – it is to do with his pride and desire to become an even more wealthy icon.

Denis Ince, via e-mail

Let’s focus only on players who are likely to be actively involved in the 2010 World Cup finals. If we get there, Beckham will be 35 and still seeing out his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy. By all means draw on his experience and commitment to the English cause, but in an advisory, nonplaying capacity.

Nigel Springthorpe, Surrey

Keep him . . .

No way should Beckham be dropped. He should never have been dropped by Steve McClaren. He’s the only English player to pull on his shirt with pride at the moment. His best days are not over at 32 years old – he is still in his prime.

Diana Green, via e-mail

There are some boring, high-earning Premiership footballers who don’t even deserve one international cap. Beckham, however, is in a different class. He has always worn the England shirt with pride. He has passion and commitment and for that alone he should be rewarded with his 100th cap.

We need a boost after the Croatia fiasco and I would certainly like to be at Wembley to savour the atmosphere on what should be a memorable night. Who cares about 2010? Just give Beckham one final night of glory.

David Williams, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

I do think that Beckham deserves and should be awarded his 100th cap in February. Even if it proves his last one, he has earned it and if Capello wants to get the fans on his side from the start, he will make Beckham the captain as well.

I will be there with my friends and we all hope that, together with all the true England fans, we are able to give him the standing ovation he so richly merits for his loyalty and great performances in the white shirt. Yes, I know things didn’t work out for him at the last two big tournaments, but who got us there anyway? Becks, a great servant to England. Always.

Mick Pidcock, via e-mail

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Write to TheGame, Sports Desk, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT

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