Owen Backs Beckham For England Recall
Last updated : 05 March 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
You don't dump your best players, and the ex-Smog is not impressing many with his strange decisions. He is reported to have asked his players "do you think I should bring back Becks?" and a serious injury to the Real Madrid player at the weekend has saved McClaren from eating humble pie.
One player, Michael Owen, is one who believes David Beckham is still a "world-class" player who should be part of the England set up.
Owen: "He is, and has been for many years, a world-class player. You're not going to get anything new, you know he's a top player who will deliver great free-kicks and work his socks off for the cause.
"It's not like the nation don't know what they are going to get from him so I don't know why there's a big hoo-ha about it. He's a fantastic player and everyone knows it.
"David Beckham hasn't changed as a player from three months ago, he's always been a top player playing in fantastic teams, he's won plenty of honours and has done England a great service over the years.
"That hasn't changed just because a few people have said he shouldn't be in the squad or vice-versa.
"We haven't played as well as we should have in general terms for quite a few games now, back to the World Cup even when we didn't play well but got results.
"It almost gives you more confidence knowing you've got players who need tweaking here and there to make a very good team.
"I'd prefer to be in that situation than players who are poor and have to play above themselves.
"You just know the capability is there for us to get a bit of confidence - a spark from somewhere and I'm sure it'll click and we'll be a force to be reckoned with in world football again.
"I'm at the good end of my rehab and everything is progressing nicely. The running has been fine, twists and turns will be introduced later but it's nice to feel the aches and pains of running again. It's feeling like I'm a footballer again.
"Kicking has been fine. It's not like I've been doing shooting practice or smacking it as hard as I can but there's a lot passing and that's fine. I haven't played for a while and I'll need to build up a lot of strength and do a lot of repetitive running.
"Hopefully I don't get any other problems, things like a tear in your hamstring or calf because your legs aren't used to doing anything for nine months or so.
"That's when it can be a bit risky. If I don't get anything like that then I'm still hopeful of playing again this season."