The Debate: does David Beckham deserve 100th England cap?

Some time in the next couple of weeks, David Beckham will roll up at Arsenal’s training ground and begin what will be a fitness drive designed to secure his place in the England squad for Fabio Capello’s first match in charge, against Switzerland at Wembley on February 6.

By all accounts, Capello is amenable to the idea of naming Beckham in his squad and is inclined to ask him to be captain. The question is: why? If it is because he feels that the 32-year-old has plenty to offer in the bid to reach the 2010 World Cup finals, fair enough. If it is to give him the opportunity to win his 100th cap, is this the right note on which to launch a new regime, let alone what is supposed to be an exciting new era for the England team?

The argument for playing Beckham is based on two things: sentiment and his ability to strike the ball like no other English player. The first should not be an issue, not at a time when English football should be desperate to divorce itself from its inglorious recent past. Nor should the second; Beckham will still be striking a ball beautifully in his 40s, as Glenn Hoddle could. The question is, what can he offer as a footballer, as an athlete, at a time when England already have a Beckham-in-waiting in David Bentley?

It would be a shame to leave Beckham stranded on 99 — shades of Donald Bradman, who ended his Test career with a batting average of 99.94 — but it would not be a tragedy for him, let alone for English football. Sentiment cannot be allowed to cloud Capello’s judgment. And beyond sentiment, there is little cause to pick a player whose best days, no matter what he and his champions may say, are long behind him.

What do you think? Is Beckham worth his place in the England team or should he be dropped?

OLIVER KAY

Have your say by filling in the comment box at the bottom of this page.

Comments

[ardeshir bhesania]

i think leaving him out of the team will be the biggest mistake they will ever make. remember the difference between the england team when he was left out for 11 games with the previous manager and when he came back. i don't think his best days are behind him. he just won the spanish title last year with madrid. i think players of his class never loose their game and always prove to be an essential part of any team they play for...

[Dominic Stockford]

By the way - this harping on about his free-kick taking ability - if my granny took all the free-kicks she'd eventually get one right!

[Dominic Stockford]

Building for the future - Beckham. The two are not compatible. With England in the sorry state it is in we need every game to be treated seriously and every player picked to be picked for the future. He cannot justify a place for the future - and probably some others too. I await Capello's first squad with optimism of a forward looking movement (and the expectation that he'll annoy a lot of people, especially stuck-up players who think they 'deserve' to play, or 'deserve' one more pay-day).

[Michael Cocksedge]

Does Beckham deserve his 100th cap? Next to the performances from the rest of the England team over the last 18 months - yes he does. However we can not keep looking back over our shoulders. The current position of the "3 Kittens" gives an opportunity to try new options and we do have to start looking forward to the next decade of the England team. Next to McClaren I feel Capello has a clearer idea of what that should be.

[Dee]

YES, He certainly does.. people only choose to remember the bad, one has done that the many good things Beck has brought to England.. ENGLAND DOESN"T DESERVE A PLAYER LIKE BECKHAM!!

[Greg P]

If Capello wants this game to be taken seriously then Beckham shouldn't play. He no longer plays competitive football at club level and therefore has no right to be considered for internationals.

His main contribution in 99 England matches was scoring an equaliser at home to Greece with his 8th free kick of the game. Does that really sound like a player who deserves 100 caps? Some say he deserves it for playing with enthusiasm. So did Carlton Palmer - why not give him a few more caps too?

If the FA wish to celebrate Beckham (and make as much money as possible in the process) the should hold a celebrity match in his honour at Wembley and give him an honourary 100th cap or something equally futile.

Personally I think Beckham was never good enough at international level (as proven in 3 World Cups and 2 European Championships) and the end of him can signify the end of a pathetic era for England and, hopefully, the beginning of a successful one.

[Davster]

By the way, regarding his patriotism etc. Brand Beckham has only one loyalty. He should have been stripped of the captaincy when he went to Japan to sell aftershave rather than attend the vital qualifier against Slovakia for which he was suspended.

[Davster]

Beckham chose to go semi-pro so why are we even considering playing him? It sends out a dreadful message to other aspiring English players.
I presume the FA, having missed out on money for competing at the European Championship, will try and leech one last payday out of his faded celebrity. Can't wait for the Beckham's Century DVD to appear in bargain baskets at your nearest garage forecourt...

[cicero]

In my view Beckham was never a great player, but a good one who happened to be the best around for his position.
Perhaps the new England manager should play Beckham for the last 10 minutes of the next match. That way every could be happy.

[Bill]

If it was me I'd pick him and get it over with. If not, this thing will run and run. Every squad announcement and every team announcement will be all about Beckham - will he or won't he? And as fine a player as Beckham has been, and to a lesser extent still is, we don't want that - do we?

[alemayhu leykun]

yes /david deserv it

[Paul]

Beckham couldn't make the squads of the top teams in the world. Unfortunately, England are not one of the top teams in the world, and Beckham will be in the squad for the foreseeable future.

[julie willnot]

What's up Cathy, no shift key on your keyboard?

BTW, give Beckham his 100th.

[Peter Ryder]

Bentley could usefully learn humility from Beckham, who, in 1998 had to understudy to a lesser player in the world cup before getting his place from the then manager. He waited without complaint until he got his chance. And he has accepted whatever came his way with dignity ever since.
As for Scholes giving up on England because he was sidelined by the 'Beckham circus' what rot. He was disillusioned with the lack of spirit in the new players such as Lampard and Gerrard who have never produced for England the form they produce for their clubs but still the pundits expect them to b be selected. If you play your heart out you expect everyone else to do the same.

[coward]

Im glad im not a Brit because i would feel so bad about how you fellows bash Becks, i have watched your games and he is the only consistent player you have, in fact when he is not on the field it seems like no one have a clue what they are doing, its really because of the media why you fellows are haters, he is still your most consistent player (who then) and even if he is 50 and playing better than the rest of the team, he is in fact the future in a bizzare way

[Colin]

Noway no neven in a million years does he deserve his 100th cap Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Billy Wright and Peter Shilton all deserved to be capped over 100 times for their country, Charlton and Moore won the world cup, Peter Shilton would have won more caps if Ray Clemence had not been around at the same time.

How many great games has beckham had for England?

He has been lucky to have been made captain and Picked when clearly not fit by previous England coaches, the one thing that Steve McClaren got right whilst England Manager was not picking beckham and by bring him back that might have cost England a place in Euro 2008.

[Sky Blue Kid]

Typical English coments all round..

Yes Beckham is not at his best, Yes Bently has got the qualities to be the NEXT Beckham, Yes Beckham was never the best player that England has produced...

BUT.....

NOBODY can deny his ability, NOBODY can deny his enthusiasm, NOBODY can deny his patriotism.....and NOBODY can deny that even when he signed for LA, he still came over and nearly got us into the Europeans, when NOBODY really wanted him there.....

David Beckham is not the future of English football...BUT do you not think he deserves the respect of the 100th cap ???

We haven't got a competitive match until September 2008.....So what's the problem with giving a man, who gave so much, something back...????

Too many sad and vindictive people around, with short memories...!!

[ollie]

Beckham deserves his hundredth cap,let him play but it should be obvious that it will be his farewell performance.
He sold out for the retirement fund,its perfectly logical to take the money but he hasn't provided anything like the hunger of his days at manchester united in 98/99.
Only when his place was put on the line did he buck himself up at Real Madrid although there were other passengers than him.Capello was ruthless there,he must be allowed to be ruthless for England

[Richard Micallef]

So David Beckham has 99 caps. That's at least 60 too many for a player of his ability. His style of play, mainly his inability to beat his man, has cost England dear over the years. And, in the 5 major tournaments he has played in, did he ever get anywhere near the stellar heights his PR people in the press, made us all believe he would? Beckham is all glitz but little substance. He should thank his sponsors for many of his 99 caps.

[Timothy Tanner]

It is a meaningless game that won't hurt much to give Beckham a send off. He has been vilified by the media over the years but has been a good example for the younger players in his attitude on the pitch, indeed I am glad he is training at Arsenal as the young ones will benefit from his experience and has constantly fought back when things have gone wrong. No he isn't a great player but he is effective and hard working, indeed during the world cup, he set up or scored pretty much all our goals for which he was hammered from pillar to post while the young Lennon, who created no goals, was the saviour if only that useless Sven would see it seemed to be the press argument.

He also has my respect for leaving England to go to Spain, something too few English managers or players do I fear. For his efforts, for dragging us to 2002 world cup, for his good if not always excellent performances, for his attitude (the younger DB could learn a lot), he deserves this one last hurrah.

After that, who knows? Maybe a player will emerge who can strike the ball as accurately or cut open defences as Beckham did or maybe Beckham can be an impact player but either way, I really hope he gets that 100th cap.

[norman hall]

The only reason that Beckham, who is well past his sell by date, will be given his hundreth cap is to make money for the FA. The marketing opportunity for this event is too big for this bunch of idiots to miss. The FA is interested only in money. The state of the English team is furthest from their minds.

[Francesco]

I am an Italian supporter of the England team. Needless to say, Capello's job is not an easy one, but Italians are very clever at coping with transition – I deem that Beckham is part of a transitional plan which, in its earlier stage, cannot exclude such an important player. Before reaching final determinations, Capello must verify on pitch what the "main actors" of the recent disaster can do for the new regime. Not out of sentimentality but from a practical angle I think that Beckham should be
given his 100th cap.

[NR]

Capello has seen the strength of Beckham's character at Real Madrid and the positive influence he can bring whilst he remains unrivalled in terms of his evident patriotism and desire any time he pulls on the white shirt. Aside from that if there is anyone worth indulging for a sentimental 100th cap - Beckham is that man - he has shown more desire and patriotism than the rest of them combined for many years and has single handedly pulled the whole team together on many occasions. It amazes me how everyone gets so wound up over the guy whilst endless caps are given to many others who should never be considered for selection in the first place. Give him the shirt and he'll give you his all even if he isn't what he once was. Are you listening Gerrard, Lampard, et al???

[yibala]

yes he very very much deserves it

[doug kendrick from barnsley south yorkshire]

yes he should be
given his 100th cap

[brian cole]

whitey,whilst i found your comments perceptive i am bemused that you are bemused by bentley's actions in the summer.he was not only physically tired but almost certainly more tired of the lack of recognition for his performances at club and more particularly at under-21 level.at 23 years of age he had the guts and self respect to say to the woeful england management,enough is enough at the junior levels.

[Darren Heath]

It is utterly ridiculous to put Beckham's anywhere near the England team sheet.

If he weren't such a glossy magazine friendly, handsome superstar he'd have been consigned to footballing history years ago. In David Bentley we have a young, fit, highly mobile, highly motivated, multi talented player in the mould of what Beckham once aspired to be.

Sentimentality should have no place in professional sport and I, along with all proper football fans, will be exceptionally disappointed in Capello if he picks him.

[Zulfy]

The sad truth is that even now in 2008 Beckham is still our best option on the right by far.
Lennon is too hit and miss, SWP isn't good enough and bentley isn't nowhere near as consistant.
Beckham is easily our most effective player; Gerard and Lampard have never done it for England two games in a row. With the exceptions of Owen and Shearer, Beckham has been the only player since in the last decade to play for England in the same way he does for his club.
Yes he does have his limitations and yes his inclusion does require the team to play in a certain direct way, but the alternatives (little quick guys who don't do much besides running up and down the flank like headless chickens) are pretty useless in comparison.

[DoubleY]

Yes, without a doubt. Beckham is one who gives his all for any match wearing an England Jersey. No.7, you got it. Give that man a 100.

[Tony]

Beckham needs to retire and give other deserving players a chance in the team, instead of demanding that he keeps playing. Typical Beckham! He needs to retire now!

[Whitey]

Many of these comments suggest that most people really do not watch Beckham play and are sucked in by the media hype.

The reality is that Beckham is finished as a top flight footballer unless he does something drastic with his fitness/pace. He may well have a potent dead ball skill still but that is not enough. He has never been the best passer in the game but for a period when he was 26 - 29 years old he was probably the best deliverer of the ball from the right side of midfield. Bentley can now offer that option - although I am still bemused at his behaviour in the Summer - and he has the fitness, pace and energy to get up and down the touchline.

The last thing Beckham needs is to be given his 100 cap as a present. That would be an injustice for a player who has performed with energy, skill and commitment for 75% of his caps. The best team must always be picked or the cap is devalued. Beckham at present is not part of the best team.

He might make a monumental effort - like his last 6 months at Real Madrid where he employed a Personal Trainer - to regain his game fitness and pace. I would be delighted if that was the case as I have watched this young man rise from the Man U youth team to be a very good player.

Sir Alex always warned him that the energy spent on his celebrity lifestyle would cut his career short. Prophetic words when you consider the older Giggs is still bounding up and down the pitch.

[gordon stewart]

100 caps maybe more. when he plays well England played well. if he is fit and playing at his best, he deserves to be included. no one will offer more effort.

[John Richards]

Beckham has been a great,and I mean great, player, but we need to be able to assess his current form before selecting him for England.How will Capello do that?

[Tarek]

Beckham is one of the greatest English players and will always remain at that status. He like a few people mentioned above single handedly got England into the World Cup against Greece. Beckham deserves his 100th cap and also needs to get back that Captain arm band back which is rightfully his. When he came on against Croatia he mad a difference in the team, one felt we have a leader on the pitch. No disrespect to Gerrard which I think he has done a great job for Liverpool Champions League Final; the argument will always stand Club and Country. Of course with the money involved in Club Football will always be the hidden number one.

Beckham should be back for all that he has brought to English football. My opinion is that the English clubs made the Premier League the league to be watched around the world and Beckham also was heavily involved; by either marrying Posh or wearing a Sarong, he still brought the attention to this side of Europe.

Hate him or Love him; he is an English hero in his own right. He might not be your late Bobby Moore, but that was a time and this a time. Lets be positive and look at what he brought to the English game. His move to LA might be money motivated but so what he is a professional who works hard at what does if there are people that are willing to pay for that then let them. And don't forget he s promoting the sport in the USA and make English League yet again looked at if it was forgotten across the pond. Bentley is good but doesn't have the Beckham flare yet.

[rob]

Beckham clearly divides people into 2 catagories.Those that love him-women,people from countries with no football heritage whatsoever,people who think "soccer" was invented somewhere between 1990 and 1996,and,the readers of glossy celebrity mags.The other set,the old school football people who truly understand this game knew this was a very limited player who would always come up short at the final hurdles no matter what the hype and delusions placed around him promised.Never has such a limited player got so much out of the game-good luck to him and his spin machine but if were to get back to being a serious football nation again,we must say farewell to him and the "WAG" era he undoubtably represented.

Beckham worked tirelessly on his limited ability but was never going to anything approaching a "great" player in this era or any other.For england to indulge his entusiasm to be the centre of attention for so long was folly of the highest order.Captaincy,penalty-taker,suit chooser,"untouchable" status,the list of unworthy indulgences afforded to him just went on and on while technically far superior figures such as Scholes who we should have centred our play around became sidelined and disillusioned.We have to learn from that era and we definately have to move on.

[murciabhoy]

yes

[monsieur rioux]

beckham the most over rated player of all time ...please some one list 10 games on the trot when he played well for england...what about brazil when his yellow streak came to the fore and his cowardiss in the tackle cost england did a goal

Posted by: seamus

*******

This is all the Beckham haters ever have. Perhaps you could tell us who HAS played well 10 games in a row. Let's make it easier and ask you to name someone who has done well 3 games in a row.

And that pull out of a tackle? On the halfway line...no obvious danger. You've obviously forgotten he hadn't properly recovered from that broken foot. Imagine the stick he'd have taken for making it worse for a foolish tackle so far up the pitch.

[Jonny]

If Beckham wants to make that England squad, training under Wenger with the top team in the Premiership is the best thing he can do. He'll come out flying and will once again be the best player on the pitch for England. If only Gerrard, Lampard and co gave half the effort Becks does for England we'd have won soomething by now.

[Amadeo]

David Beckham has shown the mettle of a true professional football player with Real Madrid under Capello. Apart from his passing skills he brings to the England team the spirit of professionalism. Capello will expect him to be an example for some of the England players who behave like spolied brats.

Skills alone don't make a professional football player. A mature character and attitude are indispensable. And becks has it all.

The England players are in for a hard time under Capello because he'll introduce concepts they've never even dreamed of before. Wait till he has them "in retreat" (that's exactly what they call it Italy, "retreat") -- it's like a military training camp. No mobiles, no booze, no sex, no pranks, no nonsense -- just work, hard work. Then when the boss so decides, you're allowed to go out for maybe half a half day or so of free time. And you'd better be back on time... and sober. Or else!

Becks knows all about it and he's going to be a very important limk to smother the temendous culture shock.

[Patrick]

I love reading Brits arguing about football. You all obviously have great passion for the game.

I'm from America, and I know that disqualifies my opinion in most of your eyes. But as far as I see the Becks situation, what's the harm in giving him his 100th cap in a friendly? He loves his country, and speaks of it proudly, and we in America love that about him.

Whether he moved here for the money or not, he has brought much more awareness and fans (myself included) to the MLS, which can only help the league improve. He did say that was the reason he was coming here. I had no idea who Manchester United was until I read that he played there and I started researching them. Now I watch the EPL every weekend on a television channel I had to pay extra for. 2 years ago, this would never have happened. Most of us are not brought up around football, as in there was no middle school, high school, or even recreational leagues where I lived growing up. Now, there is a rec league and a few high school teams. In other words, he has definitely created an excitement about football here, and I for one am glad.

So let the man get his 100th cap. I read in your news about players being embarrassments all around town, and at least he is not that either. Some of you argue that he hasn't done much in his first 99, but who on the England squad has? Terry? Lampard? None of them have won trophies either.

Anyway, I hope the 3 Lions get back to being the best in the world. A lot of us Americans actually support you.

[Simon]

Of course he should play. Beckham plays for England like he means it. He is our best player in an England shirt and has been for years. Gerrard, Lampard? Great for club, not for country. Beckham has said he will always be available to play for England, shame others haven't. Like Shearer, Scholes, Carragher.
He deserves 100th cap, even if it is only because of that free kick against Greece.

[brian cole]

the ignorance of david bentley's service with england needs correcting.he has represented his country with distinction at all levels and,pointedly,oustandingly last season for the under- 21's.he is now 23 years old and i suspect his dastardly withdrawal from a recent under-21's international tournament was to a large extent, and justifiably,down to being shabbily denied the opportunity. he has earned ,to express his talents at the highest level.his current form is world class .he has pace and his crosses and free kicks are as good if not better than beckham's.ask roque santa cruz.in today's 'times' mark hughes suggests it is time bentley was given his opportunity.i can't wait and feel a groundswell of appreciation for this talented young man amongst the more discerning fans.sorry if that's arrogant but i'm tired of the nonsense and idolatry surrounding beckham and the failure to acknowledge bentley's emergence and eminence for that right side slot or alongside the front man.

[Pablo F]

Definitely not. Beckham is part of an unsuccesful era in English football where our players were tops in only the pay league. Any more caps would add insult to injury. Beckham was a good player but never a great (as his PR profile manipulated by his desperate missus insisted).

[Edgar Camilleri]

Of course he deserves his 100th cup.
Can somebody mention any player who can hit free kicks accurately better then David,or the excellent crosses he provides and translated into goals.However he has plenty to offer with his fantastic football.As Wenger said,since David is to train at Arsenal he urged his lads to go and watch and learn.

Edgar ( malta)

[James C]

Still the best passer of a ball in the world. Still a winner, and still more up for it that anybody else in the England squad. Of course he deserves his 100th cap

[Theo]

It is fair to say that David Beckham hit one of the greatest free kicks of all time into the net agaisnt Greece to get England qualification into the 2002 World Cup.

However, when a man who misses the first crucial penalty agaisnt Portugal and then demands that he remain the penalty taker, shows Beckham as a selfish captain of English football. It makes me sick.

How dare he declare on television that his move to LA Galaxy wasn't about the money. If not, then why did he move? If the answer isn't money then I stand corrected big time.

He is an overpaid and over rated football player. It is time that he retired from football so we can forget the painful memories of his footballing failure.

[kevin Hayton]

The monotonous anti Becks articles are wearying. Mr Samuels has regularly rehashed this story over the years.(What dont you like about him Martin? His skills, his looks, his success?) Let Beckham have his hundredth cap in the friendly and then we can look forward to the exciting prospect of that patriotic lion, Bentley replacing him! (Hope he is not too tired this time!

[Neil]

Yes Beckham should get his 100 cap, it's a nothing game against nothing opposition, let's have a little nostalgia, remember Beckham's performance against Greece where he single handedly got us to the World Cup, he deserves his 100th cap just for that.

Regarding the future games, let's see how his fitness and form pan out, I would not rule him out just cause it seems to be fashionable to be against Beckham at this time.

[Purist]

Those people that are against Beckham always allude to money or the number of caps he has - that says everything about such people. Jealous of his sucess.

[Oliver]

Beckham is playing in one of the worst leagues of the world, in one of the worst teams. Furthermore, he is not playing well. England's too much for him at the moment.

[Diane]

Sorry to come back, but wanted to respond to Ken's comments as they are based almost soley on things the media and commenters have said about Beckham, instead of on things he has said himself or on actual events.
In every interview he's done in the past year, Beckham has explained that he would like to reach the 100th cap not only because it is a goal he set himself but because it represents his commitment to playing for England. He has also said that although the 100th cap is a milestone, he would always be available to his country as long as he was fit and needed. As he's been asked the question so many times he has also replied, each time, that if stopped at 99 he would be very happy with the great career he's had with England.
Regarding performance, exactly what he does personify (according to his teammates on every squad he's worn a shirt for) is team spirit, a tremendous work ethic, and if leading La Liga in assists -- as well as offering many of England's most crucial as of a few months ago -- doesn't illustrate generosity as a player, well than you would have to go back to statements made by so many teammates for more evidence of that.
Finally the whole claim that the Beckhams created the WAG culture and destroyed England's image in the last World Cup is absurd...this illustrated by the many outraged headlines about Mrs B NOT joining the rest of the wives out and about and instead spending the time only with her family (SUCH an outrage). And of course, that culture seems to have thrived quite well without either of them living in England for the last five years.
Whatever you think of either one you have to admit that both Beckham's are d*mned if they do and d*mned if they don't, whatever they actually do.

[cathy]

everybody keeps knocking david beckham and i know im only a girl football fan but ive watched becks since united and followed the support onto the years he was at real madrid and for many of madrids games he played all the other players off the pitch with his complete skill and drive no he isnt the fastest runner or the best tackler but when need be he defends like a natural and who needs to run fast when you can read a game like he can and is always in the best place for one of his inch perfect crosses - becks wins games for any teams he plays in so lets leave him alone give him his 100th cap that he has won the right to play for. when the manager starts leaving out the professionals who are proud to play for our country we know we are in trouble unless of course we want players playing who are only interested in getting the 90 minutes over as soon as poss as its wasting valuable dogging or roasting sessions.

[seamus]

beckham the most over rated player of all time should never have got 50 caps never mind 100 please some one list 10 games on the trot when he played well for england difficult ha people will bring up the greece game but what about brazil when his yellow streak came to the fore and his cowardiss in the tackle cost england did a goal

[Ken]

No way should Beckham be recalled to the squad, whether to get his 100th cap or for any other reason. He personifies everything that has been wrong with the English football team for the past 10 years - egotism, under performance, self indulgence, obsession with money and image, lack of team spirit, failure (inability?) to accept the need for change and, last but not least, WAG culture. We desperately need a complete break from the past and move on, rebuild the entire squad and build for the future. Beckham is yesterday's man - his selfish wish to achieve his 100th cap is completely irrelevant to what English football now needs. If 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

[Victor, London]

He should get his 100th cap and then bow out from International football. He'll be 35 come the 2010 world cup and will have played in an inferior league (MLS) for 3 years and clearly won't be up to standard. He was a great international for England, but his time is up. He was wrongly ditched by McClaren, but now is the time to move on without him.

We need to start looking at his successor. We have Lennon, Wright-Philips, Bentley waiting in the wings. They're the future and deserve a proper chance to compete for the right side berth.

[Tom]

Surely the wondrous strike in the
last minute which enabled qualification to the World Cup finals justifies one cap in itself.
Of course none of us would be discussing this if any other manager had been appointed at the time.You would be a brave chairman to employ Maclaren in England EVER!!!!

[ray]

Of course yes. He is one of the best talents England has produced in the last decade. Capello's style is based on a strong, tall goalscorer capable of using both feet and head to score. Crosses from Beckham will be desperately needed as it was the case with forwards like Rud Van Nilsteroi at Real, Van Basten at Milan, Trezeguet at Juve, Morientes at Real years ago, Carew with Roma. Who can provide better crosses than Beckam in the English squad?

[Purist]

Not a case of him deserving his 100th cap. The England team is at the moment worse of without him. Simple as that. We don't have anybody, yet, with his experience,training and yes ability, to replace him. England are not at the level of say, the Italians, and if you don't have players with the ability of say, Pirlo, then you can't expect to be the best in the world. But you don't leave out one of your best players because of that. That will only result in a seriously weakened side.

[richard dow]

an add on to my earlier response David Bentley a Becks in waiting???
(becks light)
Radio has been jumping on the bandwagon as well this a.m.
jeez you lot are priceless capello must be going, Oh him that set norwich alight Oh lucky man.

[brian cole]

jmr.wants his ar..e kicked for insulting bobby charlton,a far greater talent than the overrated beckham.alex ferguson saw the light and hopefully capello will resist the beckham pr machine and concentrate on building an effective england team incorporating talent from the under-21's,starting with david bentley and luke young on the flanks and agbelahor in the wings if not in the X1.beckham's reputation was enhanced from playing in a talented man.utd.side whilst his sojourn at real was hardly a success.his contribution to real's title win has been exaggerated.in that crucial final game they were losing but went on to win after beckham was substituted by match winner, reyes.van nistelroy was the main man that season. beckham's england career had its moments but he looked above average in a poor side ,his limitations outweighing his strengths on and off the field.i'd much rather football fans looked up to bobby charlton and got past that uncool hairstyle.he had such style on the pitch, where it counts,up there with de stefano and puskas.a magyar in an england shirt.

[Roger]

Of course Beckham should get his 100th cap. First of all, because he deserves the recognition for the years he has played for England and the impact he has had on the game. But mainly because he's still an outstanding example of guts, determination and pride in playing for his country, a role model other established and emerging talents might think of emulating. he's still a damned good player and I hope he goes on and on!

[Stuart]

First of all if anyone deserves 100 caps its Beckham. I am not english and the grief the poor guy has been given over the years when he always gives 100% is a disgrace.
He is still better (and hungrier) than most of the so called 'big names' who regularly play at present.

[nortz]

Of course Beckham deserves his 100 cap he has been Englands best player for years . To the so called England fans who are always on his case "hes played average".. what are you on about??? Who is the only English player to have scored in 3 World Cups, who got us to the World Cup both times and who is the only English player who wears the shirt with pride and gives 100% since Gascoigne..... Beckham.

[Kim Brown]

David Beckham deserves his 100th cap - he's been a fantastic servant for England, arguably one of our best Captain's. He's still one of the best crossers of the ball,gives 200% every match, but more importantly gives England balance, confidence and a never say die attitude. He's still a great ambassador for England. What you're really commenting on is whether he should get in the team on his ability. Fact is there isnt an outstanding candidate at the moment to take his place! Beckham should defintely get his 100th cap, and I would make his Captain for this occasion. He deserves it.

[Chris]

Some have asked for Beckham not to be compared with Bradman, I would ask for Bentley not to be compared with Beckham. Beckham played for two of the biggest clubs in world football and was a success at both winning Premiership titles, the Champions League, FA cups, Carling Cups, and La Liga, he was also an outstanding player and captain for his country.
Bentley on the other hand has acheived nothing, released by Arsenal and now plying his trade in an average mid table Blackburn side, hardly like for like are they.
Me I prefer a Rolls Royce (Beckham) to a Bentley!!! give him the 100th cap he is well deserving of it.

[JMR]

Yes David Beckham still has a lot to offer English football as a player and as a mentor to teach the players how to conduct themselves and wear the shirt proudly. He is the most passionate and proud England player.

Becks should play well past his 100 games for England. I want to see him beat the pants of Bobby Charlton, the old sour puss!

[N.Robertson]

No. Don't give him his 100th cap. Beckham is and has only ever been an average international player despite the best efforts of the English media to award him world class status. How many games has he ever 'won'? Only Greece comes readily to mind and his'star status' within the squad has been counter productive.He is not playing serious football now so it is hard to see what he is likely to offer going forward.

Capello can and should make a clear statement of intent and leave him in LA with his celebrity status.

[Sue Kelly]

He deserves it after all he has done for the England team. At least he made the effort against Croatia and supplied the cross for Crouch's goal. Capello owes him too for his La Liga title last season.

[Japaljarri]

Please don't compare Beckham with Don Bradman in any way.

[rob]

Firstly,dont insult a genuine sporting great by comapring him to david beckham.(bradman)Secondly,Bentleys display yesterday was of an all-round nature Beckham never developed,crossing with his right and left and shotting low from far out as he was.Bentley needs to be integrated immediately,these friendlies will give him vital experience before the start of the new england era with the qualifyers,then the 2010 world cup.Dont be sentimental,no truly successful sporting institution ever is-look at the aussie cricket team as a prime example.Beckhams had his time,5 medioocre to very poor tournament displays and we have to look ahead.

[justin]

Give Beckham his 100th cap in a friendly, he has earned it. He's been a wonderful servant for England. Their game versus Switzerland is perfect since it is meaningless because it is so far from the qualifiers for 2010. End the silly discussion then and there.

Then move on to a new generation and build a team that can compete in 2010.

[Diane]

This is the thing about Capello, he would play his grandmother if she was the right person for the team at the time. Beckham will get a place only if he's fit and fits into Capello's plans for his squad. Plans that might not necessarily include the same role Beckham played in the past if is called up. All as it should be.
We are always saying we have to look to the future, but that doesn't mean divorcing your past, it just means learning from it and learning how to use what you've got. As we've seen, the alternative looks more like lunacy than management.
As far as I'm concerned if Beckham's, or any other player's, skills and/or experience can be used to our current or future advantage, I don't care what they're called or what they have or have not done for England in the past--and this new manager won't either.

[Dave]

David Beckham still has plenty to offer with his fantastic footballing talent.

Therefore he deserves to be included in the England Team until he has gained 100 + caps for England for his commitment and skill. He should stay until the Manager can find a suitable fantastically skilled and committed player to replace him.

[lex]

Alas...his time has passed.

Sorry Dave, Bentley can strike a ball well, run with it, and retain posession.

[Mark Jensen]

Beckham should get his 100th cap, with the condition it is his last. He has been an outstanding ambassador for English football and England. However, as a player his reputation seems over-inflated. His difficult spell in an admittedly unstable Madrid team showed him to be a team member, not a leader able to influence the direction the team was taking. Similarly for England, many caps but little to really remember. Can't escape the feeling that marketing aside Alex Ferguson knew what he was doing when he moved him on.

[Tim Harrison]

of course he should he got us to the 2002 world cup finals single handedly he is world class and should never have been dropped who scored against ecuador to put us threw to the qauters DAVID BECKHAM!!!!!!!!! hail beckham

[price]

Of course he should

[Paul]

Yes David Beckham deserves his place, even just as an impact player rather than a starter. At the Rugby World Cup this year The Wilkinson Effect was plain to see. England need the BEckham effect, although hopefully not for long. I just believe that right here, right now we still need his influence in games, just as a sub perhaps, but we need him there.

[monsieur rioux]

It would be a poor show not to act on sentiment for just one friendly so that fans could show their appreciation for what he has done for the England team.

It would also not be a good idea to leave him out of the squad given he still gives the team something that nobody else is giving. Unless, of course, Capello can find some other way of replacing the goal a game virtually guaranteed by Beckham's assists.

[Craig Farrow]

I don't like this word 'deserved', surely if people were just given caps on merit then those supporters who travel across the world supporting our country 'deserve' a run out.
Ok granted he has been a great player and immense service to the country, but wasn't picking players because of their name the problem with the previous 3 or 4 managers in the first place.
Saying that, he properly has earned it with his dedication, deeming this comment somewhat irrelevant anyway.

[Ifeanyi Chukwu]

Beckham on pitch, beckham cross ball,player in box score goal. Did it twice in the champs league final did against greece to get us to the world cup and did it against Croatia when all else around him were crumbling. So has bentley come anywhere near approaching that consistency has Shaun Wright come anywhere near that quality . The aim of this new era is success not excitement. Beckham free kick, success.

[Ian Dickson]

Yes, while my head agrees with your logical argument about starting anew with younger players, my heart says Beckham should be given his 100th cap.

The game against Switzerland is inconsequential in all honesty and there will still be plenty of time for the new manager to assemble an England team suited for his direction.

In the meantime, Beckham who has worn his England shirt with pride, honour and commitment, deserves reaching such a milestone to cap an illustrious career. I don't think anyone should begrudge him that.