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Capello gives the arm-band to Becks

Capello gives the arm-band to Becks

David Beckham had been chosen as the captain for the friendly against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. After trying Gerrard, Terry and Ferdinand it seems that Capello has finally settled for the 33-year old veteran to lead the team.

Fabio Capello needed a leader in the pitch and he has chosen none other than the fan favourite and media darling - David Beckham.

The former England captain has made a stunning return to the team, having fun the 100th cap for his country, and will lead the team in Trinidad. The friendly is played to mark the centenary of football in Trinidad and Tobago.

Capello and Becks
Both of them had worked together before with Real Madrid, Capello helping the club to win the league after years of cup draught. The Italian boss had once vowed that he would never pick Beckham to play for the Spanish giants again, but changed his mind later and thereafter been a keen admirer of the Englishman's abilities.

He said: "I know David very well from our time together at Real Madrid and he did well for me after some problems at the start.

"I can change my mind about things and only stupid people never change their mind. He was very important for Real at the end."

The Return of the Native & the Conspiracy Theory
Beckham giving up England captaincy two years ago, leaving football in Spain for 'soccer' in the US, the tough times under Steve McClaren, exit from the national side, downfall in LA, England's failure to make it to the Euro 2008 and the appointment of Capello as the new boss - everything seems dramatic. David Beckham could not be a Hollywood hero, but surely he is the hero in this well written script.

The media and the press gave up on their favourite son, wrote him off saying a comeback to the top level was impossible. But, everything turned out good for Becks, thanks to Capello's faith in him, he got the coveted 100th cap and is now the Captain again.

Having said about the turns and twists in the tale, it is also good to know how the "thinkers" interpret matters. The latest media reports suggest that, although Beckham has fans around the world and is cheered by the Caribbean and the Japanese alike, this move(of making him the Captain) could be a means of winning favour with FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner. The fact that Warner holds an important vote in the process of England's 2018 World Cup bid adds weight to the conspiracy theory.

Capello has strongly opposed this statement, saying he was put under no pressure by the FA to aid that campaign by giving the arm-band to David Beckham.

He said : "The appointment is not a political move. I work for the game - not the political side of things."

"The political side is for the FA and they have not suggested to me that Beckham should be captain tomorrow."

"I decided as I have decided throughout my life and when I was manager of a club. Beckham was very happy when I told him today."

An Important Game
Capello stated that the game in Trinidad is important and it will be played in the right spirits. He said that he wants to know if the players are confident enough to play away from England.

The team has a number of debutants as a result of the absence of seven first team players. The English players who took part in the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea have been excused duty.

Young players like Joe Hart, Agbonlahor, Walcott and Ashley Young would play some part in the game. Capello has faith in the youngsters and he said that, "I have some idea to give some players a chance for the first time."

However, the team has experienced players also, like the Man Utd captain - Rio Ferdinand, who cancelled the 'rest' allowed and stated that he want to be part of the team.

Article written at: 31 May 2008 - 20:38.
Article written by: Abhilash Manapatt
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