Capello Doesn’t Care What Beckham Wants

By: Martha | January 31st, 2008

What are you doing? Fabio Capello knows David Beckham as a player — he knows what he can do and obviously respects him, after letting the Englishman work his way back into the Real Madrid team last season, after Capello had said he’d never play for them again, following his zillion dollar contract wth the LA Galaxy. Whether he likes him or not, Capello obviously recognizes when Beckham can help a team, and has no problem naming him in the side if there are on-pitch reason to do so. And, despite Beckham’s recent begging in the press, Capello’s decided he won’t help England in their friendly against Switzerland: The team’s not been announced yet, but Beckham has been told that 100th cap will have to wait.

The Beckham nuts on the internets will surely disagree, but I think this is a great decision by Capello — if there was one way to show the public and the players that he’s his own man, this is it. It would have been sweetly sentimental to give Beckham his 100th cap, and let him wear the armband for a while while everyone swoon and cheered, but the fact is the guy hasn’t played in months, and no matter how much training he’s doing, there’s nothing like actually, you know, playing football matches to prepare you for … playing football matches. And, based on press reports, that’s the reason Capello gave Beckham when he called him this morning and told him he’d be left out.

It is understood that Capello told the 32-year-old he wanted his players to be match-fit, and that naming Beckham in his squad to face Switzerland next week would be unfair on those who have been playing in matches week-in, week-out.

… In the phonecall, Capello told Beckham he was still part of his plans and that there was no reason why he will not pick him again as long as he is fit enough and playing well enough for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

So, assuming he stays healthy and plays well, Beckham will get that 100th cap, it’ll just be on the coach’s terms, not his. Christ, it’s Fabio Capello — what did everyone expect?

ETA: For those of you who are interested, the team has been announced.