David Beckham's move to LA Galaxy spells the end of his career as a serious footballer at the age of just 31. While Beckham finds himself in the not exactly unfortunate position of earning half-a-million pounds a week, he cannot ever have envisaged his career unfolding in this way during the glory-days at Manchester United at the end of the last century. In a strange way, his bravest career move has hastened the end. Where was there for Beckham to go after Madrid? Tottenham? Bolton? West Ham? I don't think so... Italy perhaps, where one of the Milan clubs would no doubt have been keen to add him to their stable of global names, but he would merely have been treading water, trotting around for a season or two before the clock ticked for the final time. Rather than this he has embraced a new challenge in America, and should be commended for taking control of his future. He need only look at the fortunes of the other major English players who have played abroad since the 1990 World Cup to see the wisdom in his decision.
Three members of that 1990 team left for Italy soon after, and suffered mixed fortunes. Des Walker, at the time one of the most promising central defenders in Europe, joined Sampdoria, coached by a certain Sven. He was rescued by Sheff Wed a season later, but a serious injury deprived him of his pace and his England career ended in 1994 aged just 29, although he played on in the domestic game. Reasons for Gazza's demise are well documented, and he did not return to the England until he was well past his best in 1998, and was another not to play for England beyond the age of 31. David Platt was the third, and like Paul Ince a few years later, won plaudits in Italy, but on their return to England both found themselves gradually fazed out by their new clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool respectively. Steve McManaman returned after double European Cup success to play half-heartedly for Man City, before retiring in his early thirties last season. Of the current crop Michael Owen was forced to join Newcastle when no-one else would end his Real nightmare, while Johnathan Woodgate swapped Madrid for Teesside. Robbie Keane has been a success at Spurs, but I'm not sure his six months in Milan really counts.
What it adds up to is that players who have moved abroad have found the fanfared return home a decidedly anticlimactic experience. Far better that we remember Beckham for what he was in 2000, however much he tarnished this with his plodding in Germany, than for what he would be at West Ham in two years time.
8 comments:
You have too easily written off the contribution to Spanish football that was the great Vinnie Samways.
Note the use of the word 'major' english players. Vinnie was admittedly a 'major' disappointment wherever he played, but not sure that qualifies him... although i'm sure fans of walsall or wherever he ended up would disagree.
Ian Harte?
This could go on all day....
What about john aldridge who became the first foreigner, nay the first non-basque player to play for real sociedad? This alone doesn't warrant comment, but his displays in spain certainly do, and also paved the way for dalian atkinson to become one of the most exciting characters in spanish football for an 'oh too short' time.
I know he does not really fall within your time scale but; John Charles. Arguably the only British player to ever replicate his domestic form in the foreign leagues.
We're not talking about english players being successful abroad, rather their fortunes on their return quimbass....
What about Rushie la?
Post a Comment