Becks is back for Brazil/Estonia

[Kaveh Ahangar]

David Beckham has been welcomed back into a 26-man England squad for the upcoming games against Brazil and Estonia.

Steve McClaren's first act as England manager was to cast the former captain into the international wilderness, but Beckham's excellent form for Real Madrid has seen him handed the chance to add to his 94 caps for his country.
The head coach's decision to back-track on his ruthless post-World Cup move marks another incredible u-turn in the international career of the set-piece expert, who recovered from being public enemy number one following his infamous red card in 1998 to captain his country with distinction for five-and-a-half years.

Beckham's inclusion will undoubtedly grab the headlines, but the squad is also noticeable for first senior call-ups for Reading's Nicky Shorey and Blackburn's David Bentley, who both played in the B international against Albania on Friday evening.

Michael Owen started the 3-1 victory at Turf Moor, and is now in line to win his first cap since injuring his knee at the World Cup finals after being named in the squad for the friendly against Brazil at the new Wembley on 1st June and the Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia five days later.

Joe Cole, Alan Smith and Ledley King all return to the squad despite injury-afflicted seasons, and King's club team-mate Aaron Lennon is included despite appearing to pick up an injury against Albania.

The return of Manchester United striker Smith means there is no place for Preston's David Nugent despite a goal on his debut in the 3-0 win over Andorra in March.

Full England squad to face Brazil and Estonia:
Robinson (Tottenham), Carson (Liverpool), Green (West Ham), P Neville (Everton), R Ferdinand (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea), Bridge (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Carragher (Liverpool), Dawson (Tottenham), King (Tottenham), Shorey (Reading); Beckham (Real Madrid), Gerrard (Liverpool), Jenas (Tottenham), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Bentley (Blackburn), Carrick (Man Utd), Lampard (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Dyer (Newcastle); Crouch (Liverpool), Owen (Newcastle), Smith (Man Utd), Defoe (Tottenham).

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...ks+for+England

[Suprah]

Maybe this will help McClaren's recent mediocre performances receive a welcome boost as England need some inspiration to get their act together if they want to make the Brazil friendly an occasion to remember as well as qualify for Euro2008

[Kaveh Ahangar]

I agree Suprah. If you look at previous qualifying campaigns it was Beckham and Owen who practically carried the whole team through. This recall reminds of Zidane and other old French players recalled when France were in deep trouble. England have really sucked recently, but Beckham will be desperate to prove his point.

[IRN Rugby Playa]

this is the strongest england side in the past 8 years

[Suprah]

I think the main problem has been the failure of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard combining in the midfield to get things going, as both are almost identical players and need a strong midfield to allow them to play as they like as for their clubs, whilst the lack of such a thing has restricted their role, and Gerrard, with all due respect sucks playing on the right wing. Aaron Lennon is impressive but needs some fine tuning.

England have also missed Joe Cole's runs on the left wing as well and his return will also help them. A midfield of J.Cole-Carrick-Lampard/Gerrard-Becks will be adequate for now. If need be, Owen and Alan Smith can be an effective front duo for now, as Smith is a really hard worker and is physical as well. The defence seems okay at the moment though.

One can look at England's lineup and feel surprised that how does a bunch of such good players fail to perform well when matters.

Not that I give a crap as "United is better than England" or so do chants at the Stretford End go at Old Trafford

[PersianMadrid7]

this is the strongest england side in the past 8 years

i remember ppl saying that before teh world cup, so say that afetr they actually play the games.

Becks is always there with his free kicks to save the day, but as long as England rely on that they will never win anything.

[Aryaan21]

Good move but shows McClaren only follows the media also pushed for Becks to be dropped after the world cup. The central midfield should be Lamps or Gerrad(I would choose Gerrard) with Hargreaves/Carrick(Hargreaves for me) with Beckham and Lennon on the wings. Back 4, Ferdinand, Terrry, WTF WHERE IS Richards!!!!(Speed to cope with Brazil) and Cole. Strikers Rooney(injured so go with Crouch)and Defoe, because Owen is not fit enough.

[Kaveh Ahangar]

@ Aryaan21

I agree with your player selections except for Bridge instead of Cole. Ashley Cole is the biggest waste of space ever to grace a football pitch.

McCLaren's ass is dangling on the line by it's last thread. The English public are waiting down below with their knives already sharpened. Did you see the way the fans in the stadium wanted to LYNCH him when it was 0-0 against Andorra

[nosferatu]

i hope they sack him soon....
my line up

-----------------Robinson -----------------
--Richards---Ferdinand---Terry----Bridge--
----------------Hargreaves---------------
-----Becks--------------------Cole-------
---------------Gerrard-------------------
-------smith--------------owen----------

[Suprah]

Apparently Rio got his groin injury back again and will probably miss out on these matches