BECKHAM DESERVES NUMBER 100 - McCLAREN
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Former England manager Steve McClaren has weighed into the debate over whether David Beckham should be handed his 100th England cap against Switzerland in February.
Beckham is stranded on 99 international caps at the moment, and has been keeping himself fit training with Arsenal in preparation for a call-up by Fabio Capello.
There has been much debate on the subject, with people suggesting that David Bentley - who has been the best English winger this season - does not deserve to be snubbed again.
However, Steve McClaren, who in many ways is responsible for Beckham still being short of 100, believes Fabio Capello should do the honours.
"I sincerely hope he gets it," said McClaren, speaking after appearing at a coaches' convention in Baltimore. "He deserves it, he's worked hard."
"He would have achieved it already but for injuries at the end of the campaign," he added, smartly side-stepping the issue that Beckham could have been well past it but for his own uncertain selection policies.
"It's a friendly, he knows the manager. I think the whole country would like to see it as well."
"I've said it to him and I've spoken to other people - it's like a new signing all over again," he added praising the former England skipper.
"Although you've had the furore of David Beckham coming over off the field, now you get David Beckham on the field and that can only be good for MLS."
He also had some promising words for Major League Soccer.
"It's certainly building," he said. "I think with David Beckham coming, its profile has, certainly in England, shot way up.
"I think it's still got a lot of developing to do before it becomes a major force, but knowing the Americans, their ambitions with what they want to do and what they've done with other sports, they're going to be trying very very hard to make MLS competitive and attractive."
On his own future, he said: "I'm just waiting for the next challenge, wanting to get back in, and now I'm working for myself and staying in football, being able to help other coaches - I see that as one of my responsibilities as a coach who has come through the system."
All eyes will be on Capello as he releases his first squad list later this month.
