wijitSlackAlice, you really need your head seeing to if you honestly think Beardsley was a "great", Shearer could've been had he only kept his elbows down, such an eye for goal as well.
I was using Beardsley as an example of an 'underated' England player - to me personally he was a great - but in the grand scheme of things NO not a great. I stand by Alan Shearer though 63 caps [34 as el capitano] and 30 goals -5th in the all time England score / appearence ratio I think - a terrific England player for club & country , excellent 'role model'.
Beckam is more showbiz than sportsman but as I tried to get across thats not his fault - its media hype - I'm not saying he aint a good player he just aint a GREAT imo ; and it would seem he's become MR England football wise whether he's picked or not. Capello is probably hoping Becks retires gracefully - if he's asked are you going to pick him / include him whats he meant to say ? What was missing was dialogue between the two privately it would seem.
But we don't know the full story , I've often wondered whether England managers and Capello in particular consider him more of a hindrance than a help - kind of a distraction . We don't know what he's like in the changing room or on the training pitch - he could be a right pain in the arse in that environment. But he's become a BRAND the fans love him , the women love him , men love him , kids love him and I bet he loves us - he's even really neat & tidy.
I've never been to an England match and have no desire to - I'll watch the odd 10 minutes if there on the box but I find them as dull as ditch water of recent times - the Hungary game wasn't much and how there ranked 7th in the world ???
But its all about opinions isn't it - I mean of the recent crop there's only Gerrard you could say would qualify as a great and he's probaly got a bit to do before he gets there ??