Beckham in England squad for 100th cap

Beckham likely to get his 100th cap as Capello names him in squad

David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for next week's friendly against France in Paris, giving the midfielder the possibility of winning his 100th cap.

Fabio Capello, the England Manager said "I always said that when David Beckham was fit he could be in the squad, I have had good reports on him from Franco Baldini, who watched him on Saturday night, and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team."

Beckham was watched by Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in a friendly for his club, LA Galaxy, in Dallas at the weekend and obviously did enough to convince the Italians that he is fit enough to win his 100th cap against France.

Capello, who managed Beckham at Real Madrid, left the 32-year-old midfielder out of his squad to face Switzerland but made it clear at the time that he was willing to extend his international career.

FootyFocus thinks it will be a very well deserved accolade for someone who has been a great English servant!

Beckham: I'm fit for my 100th England Cap

Becks is fit and raring to go for that special 100th Cap for England

David Beckham has insisted he is fit and ready to return to the England side for the friendly on March 26th. Speaking after LA Galaxy's 3-0 defeat of Shanghai on Wednesday he said "Fitness-wise, I'll be perfect," he said. "But it's about performing and hopefully I'll do that." Beckham also feels he can go beyond the 100 cap mark and extend his international career well beyond the game against France.

"That's what he (Capello) said to me. I knew that from the conversation I had with him," he said. "He said that once I'm back playing and if I'm fit, and I'm playing well enough, then he'll pick me. With the first game after he took charge, I hadn't played any games and he explained that to me. I've played three games so far now and got through them all.

"I believe I can play for my country for a good few more years yet, that's just me being honest. I believe that I can still play at that level."

Injury doubts about Beckham surfaced after he was substituted during LA Galaxy's win in Shanghai on Wednesday after he suffered a minor thigh injury. Despite this, Beckham insisted he would be fit for the side's third game of a three-match Asian Tour in Hong Kong and that would be ready for any call from England.

Critcs have suggested he may well get fit, but that he is now playing against significantly inferior opposition, while in response Beckham speaks highly of the American game.

"The standard is slightly different in the US but it's not as low as everybody thinks. We've got some very good teams and very good players and we play some really good football so we'll just have to wait and see."

If he gets that extra special 100th cap Beckham is set to join Peter Shilton, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Billy Wright as only the fifth player to pass the century mark for England.

"Reaching 100 games and reaching 100 caps is very special," he added.

We really can't see why Beckham recieves criticism. He has only ever given his all for club and country, and despite courting fame throughout his career, he has never let his fame and celebrity disrupt his football. Footy Focus, we salute you Mr Beckham!

Transfer Gossip Latest - English Premiership

Well, well what a surprise. The Sunday papers are full of the strange, outlandish and downright ridiculous. There's some credible stories too! Here's our take on the latest transfer rumours:

Ridiculous:
According to the Mail Liverpool's owners will tell Rafael Benitez he has no money for the January transfer window.

Anticipating his walk-out the Express is saying Liverpool will make a move for Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill if differences are not resolved.

All in all two ridicuous reports. One a rehash of stories that circulated in Gerard Houllier's day (remember O'Neill ringing Houllier to say he wasn't after his job!) and the other a pure column filler on the back of the recent controversy.

Strange:
Chelsea boss Avram Grant is lining up a surprise transfer move for Everton striker Yakubu so says the Sunday Express. That would be a surprise. He's good but was overpriced at the eleven mill Everton paid for him. Doesn't score nearly enough goals for his price tag and the best he'll do at Chelsea is be a bench warmer for Drogba.

Outlandish
New England boss Fabio Capello has vowed to "win the World Cup". For the News of the World this isn't that bad. The vow isn't outlandish its the belief he can do it! Also I note an English coach is to be appointed to the backroom staff. Why is it they always pick the crap ones! Stuart Pearce and Sammy Lee have been crap club managers but have been in the England management team and are now getting a mention for a return! Harry Redknapp has a much better record!

Credible:
Frank Rijkaard will be offered the job as Chelsea manager at the end of the season. another from the News of the World. I can see this coming off. I reckon Avrim Grant is a chair-warmer until the Chav's line-up a glamour name from the management world.

Last transfer rumour from the News of the World is that Barcelona are interested in signing Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar as a back-up keeper for next season. He's getting on a bit old Edwin and I can see Fergie spending big on a long term replacement this summer.

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says he will revive his robotic goal celebrations if his club wins the Premier league or he scores a "really big goal" in the Champions League according to the esteemed Sunday Times. This is entirely credible, though equally credible is that it won't come off as the rumours are his January destination of Newcastle or Man City won't win either.

Other transfer reports are saying its good-bye to the Premier Leagues biggest show pony Shevchenko, who will gallop off to AC Milan and the San Siro in the January transfer window. Good riddance I say. Him and Ballack are the worst buys since Winston Bogarde and have been an obscene waste of money.

Premiership Transfer Rumours

We've done a scan of the football gossip pages and the latest transfer rumours to do the rounds are:

Various sources are reporting Jose Mourinho is holding 'secret' talks with the Football Association to replace Steve McLaren.

Another transfer rumour concerns poor Michael Owen's injury prone fall from grace continues - he's being linked with Manchester City who are set to make an £8m move for Newcastle's England striker in January. (various)


Chelsea will off-load the biggest show pony in the Premier League by allowing striker Andriy Shevchenko to on loan apparently to follow Beckham to the MLS in the States. How appropriate. That one from the Mirror. Still on Chelsea the Sun is reporting Didier Drogba want his knee op straight away while Chelsea want him to delay it.

The Star has two transfer rumours. One that the newest Premier League manager, Alex McLeish wants to sign Sheffield United's Gary Naysmith in January. The other is that Chelsea reckon they will snatch Bolton's Nicolas Anelka for a cool 15 mill in the transfer window.

Blackburn pair Benni McCarthy and Robbie Savage have held talks with Mark Hughes with both increasingly frustrated picking splinters out their rear end of a Saturday afternoon. (Mail)
Brentford boss Terry Butcher has been given one match to save his job. (Sun)

Down into the Championship transfer rumours are circulating in the Mail that QPR have agreed a £2m deal for Sunderland's Daryl Murphy (though I have seen Roy Keane deny this elsewhere) and also a £150,000 move for Watford's Gavin Mahon. (Mail). Elsewhere Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is ready to launch a £1.5m bid for Derby striker Steve Howard. (Sun)

Up in sunny Scotland the rumours are that Celtic have apparently agreed to sell striker Derek Riordan in January and spark a chase for his services. (The Record) The Scottish Sun is reporting further rumours that Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will be given enough money for four new players in the January transfer window which should put a smile on his face.

Where to now England??

As the nation wakes up this morning to the fact that what seemed a comfortable group to ease past has proved to be too much for the Premier League's finest, with a catastrophic 3-2 home defeat by Croatia leaving the country stunned the recriminations are beginning in earnest.

McLaren has already been sacked and after admitting there could be 'no excuses', there was never going to be any other outcome. It is noticeable that Gus Hiddink who last month criticised McClaren's "schoolboy tactics" following Russia's win over England added to his words indirectly pointing out the obvious outcome: "If you have a plan and the coach makes obvious repetitive mistakes, it's different [than if people are happy and there is a good vision]" .

Already the names of the next manager are being thrown around. Names in the frame include Hiddink, Jose Mourhino, Felipe Scolari, Arsene Wenger, Martin O'Neill and would you believe it Sam Allardyce!

I think the FA will be pulling out all the stops to appoint a glamour foreign name after the McLaren disaster. McLaren's reign has made it all but impossible for a domestic name to be appointed.

England Sack McLaren

Sky News are reporting that the FA have sacked McLaren. The first report we've seen of the expected outcome after last nights shocking performance and result. The FA is to shortly hold a press conference

England on the brink

Steve McLaren certainly has a few posers to think of before tomorrow night & it says much of Englands form that he has. His first big decision is who to have in goal. Scott Carson is seriously knocking on the door, not least because of the unconvincing form of Paul Robinson. Personally I think he should be big and brave and go for Carson. Robinson has never convinced at the best of times

In midfield he has even more pondering to do. Surely he has to pick one of Barry or Hargreaves. Barry should get the nod - he's looked outstanding in his last few games. Keeps it simple and holds England together very well while shielding the back four. Beckham and Gerrard are musts so that leaves on spot. Reports are coming in of a revolution in tactics for this game - more like have no left sided option so will play 4-1-3-2 with Lampard, Gerrard and Beckham the three. Either way he's got to have some caution and ensure a clean sheet.

Upfront should be more simple - there's not much to choose from! I cant see past Crouch and either a five man midfield with Cole or possibly Darren Bent. This for me is where England could come unstuck. They don't have many options if it goes pear-shaped in the hunt for goals and the longer we don't score the more nervous we'll become and the more confident the Croats will be.

Gut feel - we'll win with a bit to spare!!!

Israel win 2-1!, England now just need a draw, Scotland out

What a night for Steve McLaren & England. They're are still in Euro 2008 and its now back in their own hands. They just require a draw at home to Croatia and they're through. Surely Steve and the boys can manage that. Russia have been beaten by an injury time goal from Omar Golan. England now have a great chance and what a night it will be next Wednesday!

Poor old Scotland have tumbled out and missed out on qualifying for the first time in 10 years. A late late goal from Christian Pannuci broke Scottish hearts after Ferguson had equalised Luca Tonis early opener. Italy just had that bit too much quality for the Scots who now finish third with Italy and France qualifying.

Carson aiming to be Englands No 1

Scott Carson has set his stall out to be Englands No. 1. He comments in todays papers that he doesnt see a massive gap between him and the rest of the England keepers. I do - theres a massive gap. He's well better than most of them!! David James, Chris Kirkland and Paul Robinson are not as good as Carson now and definitely not what he will become.

Personally I really cant see why we persist with either of James or Robinson - Carson is a much better and more reliable keeper.

Hargreaves out for England, Premiership Roundup

Reports are coming through of Owen Hargreaves being out injured for England. Seems to me its the old Fergie trick of minimising his players exposure to playing internationals. And why wouldnt he you might ask given the ridiculous ask of playing on a Friday night in Austria! Surprised theres not more 'long-standing' injuries that need a bit of rest.

Its really a bit of a boring week really - no Premiership and the chance of England being out of Euro 2008 by the end of the weekend. It'll be a long old week next week if that happens!

A quick round-up sees rumours of Liverpool and Man Utd battling it out for Ezequiel Garay at a reported $10m. The Guardian is reporting Liverpool will have to sell before they buy it they tumble out the Champions league. Elsewhere Arsenal are hoping to welcome back Van Persie for the visit of Wigan. Mark Hughes has been rewarded for his excellent job at Blackburn with reports of a new 12 month rolling deal.

Meanwhile Anton Ferdinand has been living upto the Ferdinand family name by allegedly being caught brawling by CCTV reports the BBC. Quality conduct!

And so the spotlight turns to England.............

Dont know about you but I personally find England a total bore unless they are playing in the finals of a major competition. They invariably play beneath their talents against tedious opposition, often underwhelming their way to the finals. Remember Bobby Robson being shown live on telly as the Swedes did us a favour and got us to the Euro finals (where we promptly got walloped).

McLarens England have really not looked the part. From his late realisation that Gerrard and Lampard are a match made in football mismatch hell, to his continued sticking with the error strewn Robinson McLaren has struggled to give real confidence at any time in his reign. Now relying on the Israelis to do something against Russia at home and when they are without their best player and captain in Yossi Benayoun the sands of time could well be running out on his time in the hot seat.

Failure to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1994 would be a major setback for England and would lead to a boring summer 2008. No nights in the packed pub getting a lager shower while 'Vindaloo' and 'World in motion' is banged out! Come on England and Israel I dont want to miss those balmy weeknights in the boozer!!!