David Beckham: Talented Enigma
by Blez
on Jul 7, 2008 6:00 AM BST
I've been having some discussions with some friends of mine from England. Not surprisingly the topic was David Beckham. I love watching Beckham because the man is simply a freaking artist with the ball. He can do things on the pitch that not many others can. Usually it comes on a corner, cross or a long ball into the box. I don't get caught up in all the other BS around Beckham. Whether it's the tabloids obsessed with his high profile marriage or his off-the-field advertising deals. For me, who roots for the Galaxy in the MLS, Beckham is just a joy to watch. Granted, he isn't a $250 million joy, but it isn't my damn money and quite frankly, I probably wouldn't pay much attention to the local team if it didn't have Beckham.
But my English buddy calls Beckham "overrated" and even a bit of a "priss". He says that Beckham has never met a tackle he didn't avoid. He said that Beckham doesn't bother to fight for a ball. It's either a clean ball to him or he'll quickly relent and give it to the opposition. I can see that perspective. You don't often see Beckham challenging the opposition for possession of the ball. He'll quickly back off and let the other team take control. I know soccer is very different from hockey, but I kind of view Beckham a bit like Wayne Gretzky in that Gretz was never one to ever really fight for the puck either. And hockey is a hell of a lot more physical than football. Beckham seems to have a more singular skill than Gretz ever did, but he still can do things with a soccer ball that I find unbelievably entertaining to watch.
At the same time, I can understand that a country that has players like Rooney and loves its hard working players as to why he would have little respect for Beckham. That and the fact that Beckham bolted the U.K. for the U.S.
So, anyone out there who lives in England? Or is of English origin? How do you feel about Beckham? I've attached a poll to see how you feel. I personally love watching him play. To me, it's still like watching an amazing artist paint despite Beckham's age (33).
0 recs |
8
comments
Read Related
Email
PrintComments
I’m English and have obviously seen a lot of him, although I don’t root for the national team for family reasons!
Whilst he was at United I had a certain amount of grudging respect for him, because you say, he can strike a dead ball very very well. He also can put in a mean cross. However he’s never had much pace, and that’s why he’s suddenly pretty useless in open play. Any decent left back can shackle him quite easily. His sole benefit know is free kicks, and its difficult to carry a player for just that purpose.
A note as well on your point about him not working hard. This is one of my pet peeves. It really grinds my gears over here that a limited player can be treated like a God because he works hard. Many a player has lived of such hype before eventually getting found out….but still get sold for millions of pounds the next time a team needs some ‘muscle’. Beckham might not have liked a tackle, but he was a winger and it wasn’t his job!
by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Jul 7, 2008 9:10 AM BST 0 recs
I can't help it, but I like the guy
Yes he’s not the player he once was, but I think he’s a good ambassador for the game here in America. And, like I said, he’s fun to watch working magic with some of his crosses. This past weekend in a game against New England, he put a free kick literally inches from a teammate who was probably 100 yards away. Not only that, but he curved it perfectly so that it should’ve led to a good chance, but the striker seemed to give up on it.
I know what you’re saying about a player being treated well because he plays hard. The same thing happens here.
by Blez on
Jul 7, 2008 3:29 PM BST
up
0 recs
To be fair, if we’re talking just about likeability, I find myself liking him too. He had a hard time during some of his younger years but he’s always struck me as being very respectful and a genuinely nice person. You rarely hear of him getting drunk and falling out of clubs etc….a curse with the current United and Chelsea teams. Not to say he doesn’t do it, but he seems a good family man….one indiscretion aside (allegedly!)
I will always admire the way he forced his way back into the Madrid team when Capello didn’t really like him. Lots of players would have whined and/or just given up and collected their money.
by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on
Jul 7, 2008 3:52 PM BST
up
0 recs
I think it's both likeability and
whether or not he was ever really a good player. I think he was both. He may not have been the best ever, but I most definitely enjoy watching him play. Some of the old England classics they show on Fox Soccer Channel over here, he is amazing.
by Blez on
Jul 7, 2008 4:22 PM BST
up
0 recs
interesting points all
my feeling about Beckham is that he is a terrific international quality player. Perhaps not World Class—he would never be my World Player of the Year for e.g. but to be honest few players are in fact “World Class.” In recent years Ronaldinho was for a while, C. Ronaldo is right now. For me Xavi has earned that distinction because he has bossed key games for a number of years at club and country level. Torres is getting there but isn’t quite there yet. Zidane and Henry in their pomp were.
Beckham came close, very close. If you think about some of the performances he put in during the Utd treble season or for England leadin up to the Japan/Korea World Cup or when he first moved to Real Madrid….well he was close.
For me, the fact that he won over players like Zidane and Casillas speaks volumes.
Here at MLS he gets less involved in the tackling but I think that has as much to do with the poor quality of officiating here and the risk of some limited MLS player looking to make a name for themselves by hammering Becks.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the Galaxy during the MLS play offs…my guess is Beckham kicks it up a notch and they win it all this year. On the international front he will help England qualify for 2010 but may not make the roster for that tournie.
by Left Midfield on Jul 7, 2008 12:58 PM BST 0 recs
As soon as there’s a real alternative for the right wing in the England team Beckham will see very little time. Its a case of whether or not David Bentley can stop believing his own hype and actually push on to become a top player
by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on
Jul 7, 2008 2:08 PM BST
up
0 recs
Beckham is no priss
The guy may do underwear ads, but he’s a tough guy. Plus, I think you;d be hard pressed to find a harder working or more determined guy than Beckham. He has his shortcomings as a player, but heart and determination are not among them.
by JasonB on Jul 7, 2008 4:41 PM BST 0 recs
Pinpoint passer
My biggest take away when watching Beckham play is that he has an uncanny knack for making exceptional pin point passes whether they be 5 yds or 40 yds.
by kovolikessoccer on Jul 19, 2008 8:35 PM BST 0 recs
New FanPost
