The Offside Poll: Does David Beckham Deserve a 100th England Cap?

By: Daryl | March 18th, 2008

Does Beckham Deserve a 100th Cap? Fabio Capello will soon name his England squad for next Wednesday’s game against France, and there’s a chance David Beckham will be selected to win his (long awaited) 100th England cap. We want to know if you think he deserves it.

On one hand, Beckham has been a distinguished servant to the England national team who’s never failed to answer the call. To leave him stuck on 99 caps after so much effort could be considered cruel.

On the other hand this is a new era under Fabio Capello where form is supposed to count for everything, and Beckham hasn’t played a competitive game in 2008. So maybe Beckham should only win a 100th cap if and when he earns it through good form.

Let us know what you think in this poll…

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Note: We are testing this polling software. So if the poll doesn’t work for you, or if you have any issues with it, please leave a comment with:
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Category: World Football

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nige

Can i play just to get my first cap. I'm not very good so i should fit in nicely
Matt

Polling worked well for me!

Give it to him, it is not really an important fixture other than for Capello to look good in the press. He doesn't have to play the whole game and he still is probably one of the best options (maybe not THE best) that England has.
Diane

I'm not really bothered about the number of caps, I think he still deserves to be in the squad on merit, because he motivates teammates, and he is generous with what he has to offer younger players. He's said that 100 is just a milestone and that all players set next goals for themselves. His teammates still consider him an asset, opponents still consider him a danger, and--I agree--Capello is a complete pragmatist. If he calls Beckham up it will be because he has something to offer the team, not for sentiment. As a Beckham fan, I prefer that the call-up be a practical one.

It's the FA that's milking this decision and the "suspense" around it for every ounce of publicity they can. Capello never announces his squads a minute before he has to, which in the past has often been on the bus to the grounds. Anyone who read the Spanish press during Capello's time at Real Madrid knows that the media do not have the least impact on his thinking, a very good thing for England!
mctalian

Absolutely he deserves. Did you see him when he came on against Croatia? He vitalized the team. People love to hate on him, and he has slowed down, but he can still win you games and he's fierce competitor.
joejoejoe

Beckham is still a dangerous server of the ball. I can see him as a possible situational sub in 2010. If that is a possibility then he deserves a shot. If it's not a possibility then it's up to Capello to make a choice about giving Beckham a cap for other purposes which are also valid. England is bidding for a future World Cup and promoting the 2012 Olympics. Having a Beckham get his 100th cap in a friendly match with world attention is good for the FA and good for England, even if it's not good for David Bentley.
-nickt.-

kim, i disagree. friendlies are a chance to fine tune teams before they're doing somethimg that counts and a chance to see players that haven't been called up much. everyone knows what beckham can do when fit so let him get there and then put him in.

also why just give out milestones? if beckham deserves the 100th cap milestone it should be because he played his way into 100 caps not some gift because he was good enough to reach 99.
Rob

I guess the only reason we fetishise the number 10, and then the number 100 is because we have 10 fingers right? I don't really get the difference between 99 and 100. Except that the latter is one more.

I'd take Beckham in the squad almost certainly, I think he has a role to play still, whether he's a starter is a completely different beast, but I would take him. I do trust Fabio really though, and I reckon he'll only take Beckham if its benifical to the team. So, we'll see what happens.
Kim

Sure! Give it to him. These international friendlies are just what they are- friendlies. The row over whether or not he should wear the shirt again is silly in my opinion, and really seems to cheapen his record in historical terms. Let 'im have one more day in the sun, and spend then more time teaching the players how to properly pass to eachother.
Betting on the Reds

I think he deserves his 100th cap to be fair. He was one of England's best players in a dismal performance against Croatia and has been one of the most consistent players in an England shirt over the past 10 years. Yes, it would be a symbolic gesture to hand him it but why not in a friendly game? If he does well, he could still do a job to help England to the 2012 World Cup. He's only 32 and one of the best crossers of a ball in the world still. He deserves another chance in my view.
finnegan

fabio capello is the crusher of egos. I'm sure he'll stick to his words and pick players on form alone - if david beckham is serious about getting his 100th cap, it'll have to be on the basis that he is in good form, fit, and ready to play competitively and not because of past deeds to england, or whatever. fabio capello doesn't care who the hell you are, if you aren't in form or fit you won't be on the squad. end of story. and that's why he's one of the best managers in the world.
KJ

give it to him, you guys suck anyway..lets not mince meat out of it
Gabriella (ASR)

I am with Ian on this and voted NO for now.

I had no issue with voting.
I am using Vista Ultimate and Firefox/2.0.0.12
Ian

I wouldn't give it to him just yet. I think that if he's still on good form with the Galaxy by the May friendly date, then he will have earned the cap with a bit less question. I really do hope he gets 100 caps, but it's only really meaningful if he deserves it, and no cap should ever be a gift. That's what testimonial matches are for, and he'll have those when it's time.
Eirik

I've had a personal struggle with putting Beckham on the English squad. On one hand, he was the backbone of England's campaign in the most recent World Cup campaign, with his lethal dead ball tactics. He has provided solid play for England in all his outings, and I think that if given the chance, he will do so again.

On the other, he hasn't been playing the most competitive football. Check the football periodicals and take note to the spreading word that the Premier League is the best league in the world. There is a depth of English talent that can play where Beckham plays. Week in and week out, Premiership players have been playing competitively, and have a level of fitness unlike any other. It's hard to decide whether Beckham's few games with the Galaxy compares with the work of that of David Bentley, or Aaron Lennon, or Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Personally, I would give Beckham the cap.
Aaron

Mac running Leopard with Camino browser works like a laxative on an uncertain colon.

That is to say... Smoothly
Mike

i voted just fine and im running safari on a mac w/leopard

just thought i would let you guys know :D