Brand Beckham for hire in China

Becks in Paris, Becks in China. His guns are for hire. 

David Beckham is the biggest star in the world. I challenge you to think of anyone, even the biggest Hollywood star, that has a swoon factor for both sexes that he has - and in such diverse cultures.

America or China, they can't get enough of him.

Big in the east, big in the west, even big in Budapest, to quote Chas and Dave.

Brand Beckham is pure gold to a nation or corporation wanting to promote their lot and he was for hire again this week.

The client couldn't have been bigger: China. I’m certain I watched an ad for Becks at Sainsbury’s leading upto the feature in the news.

The former England skipper arrived amid competing paparazzi and the closest attentions of crazed fans. Chinese kids mobbed him like the Beatles were back in the 60’s.

He had a kickaround in his suit and passed the ball around in a pedestrian manner not dissimilar to his years as an LA Galaxy midfielder.

He also denied he was there to put the sheen on a sport tainted by corruption. He was there, he said, to promote the Beautiful Game – using the Brand, a sheening commodity that hangs limpet like to his body.

Becks can talk about something as abstract as his brand, yet says noodles are his favourite Chinese dish.

But that’s Beckham for you. Noodles is also his favourite Italian dish too. Infact, one man’s noodles is another man’s lockshen.

But whatever the shape of his pasta, Beckham's for hire and the world wants his stardust.

Brave Bantams beaten by the heavies as Beckham makes le debut!

Demon v Angel!

The derby of France was characterised as Good v Evil by the French football media - and Good prevailed!

David Beckham came off the bench for the last quarter hour or so as Paris St. Germain beat Marseille 2-nil in Ligue 1.

Also in the bulletin, Swansea City record the biggest win in the history of League Cup Finals beating Bradford 5-nil to lift the Capital One Cup.

Here's Jonny's bulletin from the Monday morning after the game.

listen to ‘Brave Bantams beaten by the heavies as Beckham makes le debut!’ on Audioboo

It's Paris in the springtime for Brand Beckham!

Bonjour Beckham: metrosexual Becks in Gay Paris

David Beckham's next five months will be consumed by foot a Paris! Yes, PSG in the springtime for the 37-year-old England cap centurion!

There’s a lot I suspect about this deal we don’t know – and in the scheme of things don’t need to.

As with a spell at Milan, where it’s understood he paid to make the loan deal possible, the move to Paris St Germain may indeed be a giant contra deal where both parties win.

The club get a halo of Team Beckham glitter for 5 months and the player manages a final – if stunted shot – at playing at the very highest level in the Champions League – although just how much of a contribution he can make at 37 in that arena remains to be seen.

But Beckham’s ambition is never-ending. There’s never been a global football superstar of his kind – because his celebrity transcends the Beautiful Game.

He’s acting like a modern day diplomat, jetting around the world – doing deals with the new elites of the new world order. Let’s not forget, PSG are owned by the Qataris.

He’s a trailblazer for future sports superstars, showing that being a media personality carries with it global softpower that used only to be the gift of kings, politicians and institutions.

But he can still take a mean set-piece.

listen to ‘Morning Sports Fans! Transfer Deadline Day drama’ on Audioboo

Drogba's back in Europe and the Government meddle in our national game!

Premier League vs Public Sector!

Could the Premier League fall victim to Government fiddling?

Good Morning football fans!

So many on and off-field stories to chew over this morning.

Galatasaray are back in the transfer market ahead of their Champions League last sixteen tie with Schalke... they've only gone and signed Chelsea's Champions League legend, Didier Drogba! Jonny asks if the Turks are a good punt to win the European Cup, having already signed Wesley Sneijder.

There's more transfers in the Premier League as the transfer deadline counts down as West Ham strengthen - but Villa weaken... (I'm sending the begging bowl round for our billionaire chairman!)

There are four top flight fixtures tonight plus Beckham's Arsenal chance, but is it more than just training?

listen to ‘Good Morning Sports Fans! Drogba back in Europe, the Government meddle in our national game! ’ on Audioboo

QPR bid for Beckham

Becks: out and about in LA

It's the story that won't go away. Armed with big bucks, Queen's Park Rangers are holding on to their dream of bringing David Beckham back to the Premier League.

The former England, but future Team GB skipper's looking for full match fitness in England as his own dream of playing for all four home nations at London 2012 beckons (Beckhams?)

Arab-owned Paris St.Germain fished around for his signature for a short while, but it's Tony Fernandes and his hurriedly assembled reputation for pro-active wheeler-dealing in the transfer market that gives this one legs.

Beckham's 37; he's probably played his last game for England (lap of honour/last-minute sub appearance possibility aside) - and a top Champions League club won't be in a hurry to sign him up now.

Without tattoos, image awaiting overlay.


It's left to clubs looking for an injection of showbiz that'll attract Beckham, particularly a London one like the R's.

Spurs were keen, but they've progressed too far under Harry Redknapp - and interest cooled after that Achilles tendon snap just before last summer's World Cup which more or less ended Beckham's top-level career.

Rangers looked surefire fodder for the drop after the opening day 4-nil drubbing at home to Bolton, but the arrivals of Luke Young, Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jay Bothroyd and Anton Ferdinand give them craft, number, depth and experience. Beckham would add a stupendous round of applause when he was subbed too! 23 Beckham in hoops? lovely for the Rangers faithful.

I hope this transfer happens. It's perfect timing, a perfect setting and frankly, time is being called on the multi-haircutted one's illustrious career. 

Because the Ravens will have left Beckingham Palace this time next year.

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Terry rewarded for treachery and disloyalty

Capello: pointless England manager

So John Terry's in from the cold and being made England skipper again. The zeitgeist proclaims he's been punished enough for sleeping with a teammate's ex and Fabio Capello, who once proclaimed Terry would never be his captain again - has performed a volte face.



All this because snubbed Terry had to stand and watch as the Captain's Armband was tossed between a clutch of other senior players during the 2-1 win in Denmark. Boo-hoo Terry, boo-hoo.

Now we have an unnecessary media cufuffle ahead of a key Euro 2012 game with Wales when the team was progressing well on the field.

 

John Terry: a total and utter guttersnipe

I suppose once it was decided that he would continue to figure in Capello's England set-up at all, you could hardly have him moping around like a disaffected Muttley. Terry's (bad) influence is too big for that. Lest we forget the treachery of the half-baked mutiny he tried to pull before the World Cup win over Slovenia, it seems his perceived on-field performance counts for more.



But if he was eventually going to return to the captaincy, why did Capello make such a song and dance about sacking him in the first place?

Capello's sponsorship credentials

The Captain's Armband is a bit of theatre anyway. The coronation of an alpha male among the pack, it's hardly key to the team's mechanic. It's taken on disproportionate importance for England since David Beckham became 'it', then talked and talked and talked about it in news conferences throughout his tenure.

It's an unnecessary distraction to England's preparations and Terry's the beneficiary of a weak England boss, who should've gone with him after the debacle in the summer.

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Doomed England set up by FIFA's setup

Wills, The PM and D-Beck shown to be out their depth.

England have left Zurich in last place with just two votes, as Russia claim the prize of hosting the World Cup in 2018.

Independent observers may congratulate FIFA on awarding a football nation in need. Crumbling stadia and problems with racism in the fanbase can now be addressed.

Where we failed in naivety, we certainly made up in presentation. But good PR wasn't the currency FIFA dealt in.

Wheeling out the "Big Guns", Prince William, David Cameron and David Beckham for the final push ahead of the vote sure looked great.

But as the dust settles on Russia's win and Qatar's for 2022, the white-teethed, blond good guys have been rather made to look like The Three Stooges.

England's bid team, made up of marketing executives and legal experts were from the professional class - and so totally lacked the experience and realpolitik associated with FIFA, the brotherhood of the unaccountable and corrupt, led by Sepp Blatter.

David Dein, who knows his way around football's political corridors and could've wrestled with the best of them, was brought in too late.

Now our bid team are looking for jobs, rather than knighthoods.

The BBC are said to be partly to blame for the Panorama show which outed corruption among FIFA members - but the problem was far deeper than that.



We were totally outclassed by the savvy Russians, who did what they had to do.



Sepp Bellend Blatter

As I sat with friends watching pictures from Switzerland, Ambrose Mendy suggested our bid should've been British. Bringing in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland would have softened the edges of the England bid, because frankly, we're disliked in the world.

I'm happy the BBC started the ball rolling on doing FIFA. Now the best of our British media will collude to begin the process of tearing Blatter's house down.

Even before the vote, David Mellor told Panorama that England's function was not to host the Finals - but in cleaning up the world game, starting with FIFA.

It appears we have that apparatus! Let's totally destroy them using the best investigative powers of our journalist class.

And let's use the sheer power of the English language to get the message across the world that Sepp Blatter needs to be sent into retirement in disgrace and totally stripped of his integrity.

Something good's got to come out of this. Perhaps football can be reclaimed by other stakeholders in and around the game.

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Capello seems oblivious to how it works in England



Sid James with a wig

 Fabio Capello declares consternation at how the English press build him up to knock him down. After the comfortable 4-nil win over Bulgaria in England's first game of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign, Capello insists he will get on with the job of managing the team in the same way he's done all along.

The truth is Fabio, you've got to bend a bit to the way it works here, or you'll get into more trouble.

The only way the Italian can escape a huge media barrage - is to keep winning. I suppose the Euro 2012 campaign will keep the wolves from the door for the next couple of years, such is the comfort of the opposition we're pitted against. Unless of course, he endorses a product he shouldn't or gets up to some unnamed no good!

But Capello must learn to be more surefooted with English custom and the management of his players. What worked with provincial players at Roma certainly doesn't work with our pack of feral and insular millionaires from the Premier League.

The Capello Index was a huge cock-up and he should know better than to take on David Beckham. Telling Becks his career was over and offering him a testimonial was swiftly rejected by the former England skipper. It showed no sensitivity to the player's star quality and his near bodily commitment to the England cause.

Didn't Becks return from injury to steer Real Madrid to the Primera Liga after his Real boss Capello had written him off earlier in the season?

Now Capello will look suspect if he doesn't select Beckham when the LA Galaxy star does eventually return to full fitness.

Yes, a 4-nil win is good. We've come to see Capello knows how to manage us to tournaments, its when we get there we don't have a scooby.

But his thoughts on the English press show a lack of understanding of England, the culture and the job here and at 64, a stubborn steadfastness to values which don't belong here.

Fabio: on the salary you're on here, understand that you are fair game for the most vitriolic criticism! It's our team and you are a mere temporary custodian of it.

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Posh gives Becks the bum's rush!

It wasn't all soccer for David Beckham during his days in America! There was plenty of time for rest and relaxation. A chance to survey some Californian sunshine!

He might be a "family man" - but you only have to have seen Beckham on the pitch to know about his roving eye and spatial awareness. A picture story where you can make up your own punchlines!

But Goldenballs, 21, capped by his country 300 times, obviously didn't learn his lesson from Colombia '98. You can't do sneaky off the ball stuff in front of the referee.

Posh's got her eye right on you! Well it's no good remonstrating with the ref after the event. You're in the book, son and I'd tread very carefully for the remainder of the game if I were you!

Also on Soccermongery: Wazza leaving United? not while Fergie's living and breathing!

Chelsea need to show they're grown up enough for Ancelotti

So Carlo Ancelotti becomes the latest stellar name from club management to try to Turn The World Blue.

It's a mighty big shout for Ancelotti to have quit Milan to go anywhere: he's a four-time European Cup winner with il Rossoneri, twice as a player and twice as manager. Chelsea need to respect that decision.

Big names come and go with sublime regularity at the Bridge, but even Chelsea must realise that Ancelotti's arrival coupled with John Terry's renewed commitment is a shot in the arm for their title fortunes. Manchester United have won the last three and the Blues are lagging.

For a Superclub, Chelsea consume coaches at an alarming rate: Mourinho, Grant, Sid James and Hiddink? no wonder the Dutchman never considered staying. He's the only coach to leave in a blaze of glory since Roman lavished his multi-millions on the club.

The other Big 3 in England do nothing of the sort; there's no bloodletting in the Manager's Office elsewhere: Fergie at OT, 23 years and counting, Benitez' Anfield tenure looks stronger than ever and Wenger leaving the Emirates would be akin to the Ravens leaving The Tower!

It's time Chelsea stopped it too. Ancelotti created an amazing one-off set-up at Milan. thirty-something world-class players, who continually performed in Europe and domestically. No wonder David Beckham made a beeline to the San Siro, it's THE club for a 34-year-old hard worker.

There's a temptation to lose patience with the manager when the going gets tough at Stamford Bridge. This time the board needs patience with Ancelotti, who's a Project Manager in the class of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Chelsea should stop measuring themselves against the teams above them, and believe that with Ancelotti, the right man for the job, that he will bring the trophies home.

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Beckham and Giggs become Greats on the same day

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It's time to acknowledge David Beckham and Ryan Giggs as Greats of the game. Just like the word Genius, which is bandied around with gay abandon, "he's a great player" is an oft used phrase uttered in moments of passionate exchange with your mates.

But I don't think too many people will argue with me about the status of Great being uttered around Becks or Giggs - particularly after Sunday.

Giggs netted the Manchester United winner at West Ham, dribbling his way through challenges before a sweet low, hard strike with his weaker right foot past a helpless Robert Green. Sheer quality and elegance belying his age. He's scored in every Premier League season. Now that's a Great!

Beckham's been included Fabio Capello's England squad for the friendly in Spain. He's set to win his 108th cap so equalling Bobby Moore's record for international appearances for an outfield player. Becks has played himself into contention yet again with a series of excellent displays for AC Milan. More comebacks than Frank Sinatra, Beckham is also a Great!

I've no doubt that both of these Greats have a chapter or two left in the annals of their careers. Beckham has joined the club which specialises in the thirtysomething superstar. The backbone of Milan's European success this decade has been built on such players, and the former England captain is well-known to be a physically fit individual. A big, big heart and a seemingly unquenchable desire to prove people wrong.

Impossible Is Nothing for Beckham, who could yet land another Champions League gong and even star in another World Cup campaign.

Giggs is also matchfit and able to run midfield contests with a combination of experience and sheer ability. He mightn't be the first name on the teamsheet, but unless Fergie quits at the end of the season, I can't imagine his services being dispensed with just yet - and even if they were, you can imagine a stampede for him. He's just too good to retire for now.

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Beckham: rumours of a move to Milan are about more than England

This comes from Jonny's I Told You So file! I wrote this on the 17th October 2008, and hinted that Becks' move to Europe was about an escape route from MLS, not keeping fit during the America's off-season, as was reported at the time. This is my piece (unedited) from October:
The growing battle for David Beckham's signature in the January transfer window has more at stake than just the England midfielder's fitness.

Becks needs a return to Europe to compete for his England place. The tabloids ask "how can he truly remain competitive and matchfit playing in LA?" Milan remain in the boxseat to capture him on a three-month loan deal.

It's just that his loan switch will be about more than a new lease of Life with the Lions.

It's also about Major League Soccer's fight for survival and its future in a competitive market through an economic downturn.

While Becks rises like a Phoenix from the ashes, Major League Soccer is foundering. It's losing its vision.

Having managed Beckham's LA Galaxy, Ruud Gullit's comments about MLS crystallise the reasons why the former England skipper needs to come home.

Gullit, who lasted nine months in LA suggested there's a conspiracy among other American sports to keep soccer down, and that no amount of David Beckhams can turn it into a major sport in the U.S.

"I think they are afraid of football because it is so popular everywhere around the world," Gullit told Reuters. "I think they will just control it so it doesn't become more popular than their American sports."

Gullit said that as a result, Beckham is fighting an uphill battle to sell soccer to U.S. fans.
"So it is very hard for him," Gullit said. "They will never allow that, and in some ways I can understand it as well.

"I have my doubts if they really want to make it popular. Some sports have already had a bit of a dive, so they don't want American football to become less popular, or basketball or baseball."

The truth is Beckham thought the door was closed on big time football long before it was. Losing his place in Capello's Real Madrid team co-incided with McClaren's insistence that he wasn't part of England's plans.

We all know what happened next: a recalled Becks-inspired Real won the Primera Liga and McClaren fell to the overwhelming clamour to bring Becks back. The fly in the ointment was he'd already signed for Hollywood.

Beckham is one of the fittest players of the modern era. The end of his career is not in sight, and his value to any team is obvious; he's good support for a creative partner in midfield and he remains the setpiece meister!

You could see why Manchester City were the early favourites. Abu Dhabi Babby wants to mark his arrival with a big New Year Splurge, and he's one of only a few people who could afford Beckham's wages.

But as Thierry Henry articulated in his time at Arsenal, a modern team wins titles with the strength of its subs bench.
Could there be a better sub to lift the crowd and trigger an equaliser from a set-piece?

So no surprise that big name suitors like Milan are chasing his signature (or with Beckham, his autograph).

Will one of the big boys back home tempt him home?

With Beckham, impossible is nothing.