
image via SoccerLens
Everyone knows by now that DVB hasn’t been called up for England’s friendly against Switzerland, February 6th at Wembley. But neither has Jermaine Defoe, Darren Bent, Paul Robinson nor Joe Hart. While the man who occupies the #7 shirt for England has been left out, it truly isn’t that much of a surprise. Yes, heart warming gestures are always appreciated and there’s no doubt he’s fit physically, but did anyone think that Capello’s first order of business for his first match in charge of England was going to be anything less than setting the standard and drawing the line in the sand for years to come? Remember, we’re talking about an England team that has consistently disappointed and never was there a doubt which names were on the call up sheet in the last 8 years.
The biggest and only roadblock that stood in front of DVB was the fact that it was the off-season for MLS and with a provisional 30 man roster of players that are not just training week in and week out, but getting Premiership, FA Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League matches, he was still recovering from possibly the worst string of injuries in his career.
So he’s been left out. What’s next, does he mouth off to the press? No. Does he stop playing? No. If there was ever a man that set the standard for proving himself, while keeping his head down and getting on with it, it’s David Beckham. Don’t for a minute think that #23 for the LA Galaxy won’t be flying around the Home Depot Center, not just with something to prove to Capello, but to every man/woman/child that’s ever paid to watch him play. He plays for his teammates, his family and whatever crest is on his chest, not for the individual accolades. If that were the case, well then he would have retired long ago.
According to reports, Capello hasn’t ruled him out for the future, just for the Switzerland match. If I’m reading through the lines correctly, Beckham will get his 100th Cap, just not the heart warming way we wanted.