David Beckham’s appearance against Spain gave him his 108th outfield cap for England, equalling the great Bobby Moore’s all-time record. It is generally agreed that while Beckham’s is undoubtedly a great achievement, it does not stack up to the ’66 captain as there were fewer games, inferior training/medical facilities, worse equipment, laxer refs, etc etc back then. But looking in isolation at Beckham, 108 caps (and the not insignificant 17 goals) is a phenomenal achievement. Is he one of England’s greatest outfield players, or has he overly benefitted from excellent fitness and a nice right foot?
David Beckham has three main qualities as a footballer (and a possibly better known one according to Victoria…). They are:
- Superb fitness – he is able to work tirelessly up and down the line
- The ability to hit consistently excellent early crosses from his position on the right
- An almost unparalleled set piece delivery
He is a fine passer of the ball in open play, too – but rare that his incision or assist comes from anywhere other than the right flank (primarily because that’s his position!).
These three key abilities indicate why he has such longevity; as long as he maintains his fitness, it will be years before he loses the ability to cross and hit a dead ball. There are many stories of the England players’ wonderment at Glenn Hoddle’s range of passing in training when he was manager – he just didn’t have the physical capability to play any longer.
David Beckham may well retain his dead ball ability well into his forties – but by then his legs will have well and truly gone. At 33, he may not be quite as mobile or dynamic as he was, but can still certainly get up and down.
So is that all David Beckham is, a right sides midfielder with a great engine who can pass a ball? Or is he better than that, an all time England great?
I think he is both. As mentioned, he is about to equal the caps record, he has captained his country 58 times, and has provided us with some of the most evocative England moments of recent memory. Just thinking about his penalty against Argentina and even more so his last gasp free kick against Greece – my personal favourite all time football moment (let’s have one more look…) – brings out the goosebumps. During that game Beckham ran a phenomenal 16km, a world record at the time, a true Lionheart performance capped by that wonderful goal.
For providing moments like that, performances like that, and for the sheer volume of games he’s worn the three lions, he deserves to go down in the annals as and England great.
Ability wise, there is more of a question mark. A great delivery and a great engine is not enough to put him on a par with such luminaries as Moore, Greaves, Gascoigne, Shearer, Lineker or Scholes – he would perhaps make the top 20 or 30 England players ability wise. If caps were awarded on ability, he would not be the all time leader.
But, crucially, they are not. Obviously it is an element, as you do not get to play for England without a modicum of ability (although Michale Ricketts and Steve Guppy would probably disagree) – and Beckham has Man Utd, Real Madrid and AC Milan on his CV, suggesting he has something about him!
It is Beckham’s unique blend of ability AND dedication, fitness – and in fairness the spread of his skills – that have allowed him to equal (and in all probability break) the record.
David Beckham, we salute you – a thoroughly deserved achievement.
Fergal Hunter is a
Becks won his 108th cap last night, and provided England’s one real moment of quality with quick footwork and a fine ball through to Carlton Cole, whose shot was cleared off the line. After that, he looks set to get 109 and break the record.