Beckham happy to be back
Midfielder hoping to win 100th cap against France, live on Sky Sports 1
Last updated: 24th March 2008
Beckham: Glad to be back
I'm honoured that I'm making it a hundred, hopefully, in an England shirt, and I'm also honoured that I will be making it against one of the best teams in the world and against some of the best players in the world, and also in a city I love as well.
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David Beckham admits he is happy to be back in the England squad and hopes to win his 100th cap against France on Wednesday.
The former captain missed Fabio Capello's first match as coach against Switzerland last month due to a lack of match sharpness.
But he has been recalled for the friendly with France in Paris and is expected to become the fifth player to reach a century of appearances for England.
After training with his team-mates on Monday morning, Beckham revealed his happiness at being involved with the national team again.
Honoured
"I've enjoyed being back here and I've enjoyed being back with the guys," said Beckham at a news conference live on Sky Sports News. "Training this morning was great and I'm happy."
Beckham is not taking his place in the team for granted and is also not disappointed his 100th game will not be at Wembley.
When asked if he would start, Beckham added: "We'll have to wait and see. At the moment I'm concentrating on training and working hard on that part.
"I'm just enjoying it at the moment. I never thought a year ago, two years ago, that I was going to make 95 caps, let alone be here and hopefully making it a hundred, so we will have to wait and see.
"I'm honoured that I'm making it a hundred, hopefully, in an England shirt, and I'm also honoured that I will be making it against one of the best teams in the world and against some of the best players in the world, and also in a city I love as well.
"People have also spoken about it being a shame I'm not making it at Wembley and in England, but it's not such a big deal for me. I'm happy to be in the squad and happy to be, hopefully, making that 100 games."
The 32-year-old also played down suggestions that he will mark his 100th appearance for England by reclaiming the captain's armband.
Great captain
"I heard those comments, but John Terry is the captain and he deserves to be the captain," continued Beckham.
"He is a great captain for Chelsea and I'm sure he will carry on being a great captain for Chelsea and for England.
"I have been captain for quite a few games and I enjoyed that, but I hope I just enjoy the game on Wednesday."
Beckham, who does not want his England career to end with his 100th cap, also confirmed his fitness is good following an intensive pre-season with Los Angeles Galaxy.
Feeling good
He said: "I think it's always important when you are in pre-season to have those games. You can go all the way through pre-season and not play any games and not have match fitness.
"We've been on tour and played quite a few games. Even though they are not as competitive as big games, I think the games I've played I've got the fitness needed.
"(Galaxy coach) Ruud Gullit has been working us very hard with double sessions for the last three weeks. It's been good for me and I'm feeling good."
- Video
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 30th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Blackburn |
| 17:30 | Arsenal vs Newcastle |
| Sunday 31st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Chelsea vs Tottenham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Man City |
| 16:00 | Aston Villa vs Liverpool |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Man City vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 14th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Stoke vs Everton |
| Monday 15th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Tottenham vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Sunderland vs Middlesbrough |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 25th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 3 - 0 West Ham | |
| Wigan 0 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Newcastle 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Liverpool 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Stoke 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| West Brom 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Tottenham 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Blackburn 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Aston Villa 4 - 2 Man City | |
| Chelsea 4 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Bolton 3 - 1 Stoke | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Fulham | |
| Everton 2 - 3 Blackburn | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Wigan | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 West Brom | |
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Comments
N Field (Manchester United fan) says...
i think Beckham deserved his 100th cap and i believe he deserves more! anybody who says he is playing in a sub-standard league are both right and wrong. YES - the players in the league may not be the same as the Premier or La Liga BUT think of the climate they are playing in week in week out, they train in it, that will make them a lot fitter then your average footballer. they work the same amount and lets no forget just how good Becks is! NOBODY in the world can pass the ball as well as him, cross the ball as well or take a better free kick. i believe he wil make 110!
Posted 22:55 27th March 2008
Andrea Wilson says...
Congratulations to David on his well deserved 100th cap for England. I believe that David is an Icon to the younger generation, he is somebody that every little boy looks up to and dreams about being one day, maybe some other footballers should look to him as an example as you never see David in the newspapers coming out of a nighclub drunk. Let's hope he continues to play for England for the next World Cup and beyond.
Posted 16:44 26th March 2008
S Dukes (Aston Villa fan) says...
One of the reasons England fail to win anything is there reliance on one single player,one saviour whether it be Beckham,Gerrard,Lampard etc. Already i see the from the comments that Beckham will be the saviour for England,everything will be OK if Beck's plays. what Rubbish,cut the sentiment & get down to reality. I watched Beckham play in Shanghai recently against a Combined Shanghai/Hong kong team,his performance was below par at best.But let's get sentimental & give him his 100th cap & deny some other young player the chance to become the next Beckham. England has good young players that need the experience if they are ever going to win anything,Zidane was a great player for France but i don't see them crying out for his return & let's be honest he was a better player than Beck's. England's next Beckham maybe just around the corner but may never be found unless we stop living in the past.
Posted 08:13 25th March 2008
Michael Fox (Manchester United fan) says...
In my opinion David Beckham has been a superb professional footballer during his long career at both club and national level and has never given less than 100%. At his age he still has some 2/3 years at the top level due to his high level of fitness something I believe is lacking in the English Premier League with some of our so called stars. Some of our younger players should focus on Beckham and why he is still a first class player at his age and maybe they will learn from it. Lets hope that he scores a special or if not lay on one of his superb crosses which has been lacking for one of the forwards to score hopefully Michael Owen as he has a lot to prove.
Posted 07:22 25th March 2008
Chris Bastyan says...
He deserves it good luck to him lets hope curls one !!!in!!!
Posted 19:41 24th March 2008
Dan Mozley says...
We owe beckham no obligations. He plays in a substandard league and there are many players playing at a higher level. I think it is a mistake and a sign of weakness on Capello's behalf.
Posted 16:33 24th March 2008
Lee Hatter (West Ham United fan) says...
Good on him, he has served well for us and deserves the honor even if hes not the best choice to play now.
Posted 16:22 24th March 2008
E. Allinson says...
Congratulations and welcome back, David. Let's see you back in action and scoring again for England. Don't let the idiots (Paps) get you down, just go out there and enjoy your game. Best of British!
Posted 16:18 24th March 2008
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