i have a couple of interesting articles both from different sources (goal.com and the observer). they discussed about becks future as england player from roberto carlos', a former real madrid and brazilian squad, perspective. since the beginning of 2003 ive always fancied left back position to be secured for this man. as he was proving time and time again to be the man behind the creativity from a left back position. his intelligent 'relationship' with zinedine zidane led to many goals. no one, currently, works as good as he was when he was hovering in Real heart of defence. gabriel heinze and marcello still have a long journey to become as good as him. im saying this not bcoz hes been nice to becks but facts speak for themselves. tell me who can run forward and rush back to defend Reals fragile defence? the name is roberto carlos. unfortunately, his rare error resulting in real madrid lost to bayern munich last season in the champs league and most probably led to his decision to join fenerbache in the upcoming seasons. roberto carlos is also a close friend of becks while he was spending his four years in real madrid. hes also have good comments about becks and capello considering his deep relationship with both of them when he was a real madrid player. dig in everybody...


Carlos Tips Capello To Make Beckham Captain
Veteran Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos is tipping Fabio Capello to name David Beckham as captain of England.

Roberto Carlos, who played under Fabio Capello in both the Italian's stints as Real Madrid manager, and who was a team-mate of David Beckham's at the Bernabeu, believes Don Fabio will make Beckham captain of the Three Lions again.

And Carlos maintains that it was not Capello who sought to marginalise Beckham at Real last season once the former Manchester United man had revealed his intention to join the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Carlos claims that Capello was made the scapegoat for a decision made by the Madrid board - and that he then deliberately chose to disobey his employers by reinstating Beckham in the side, to telling effect.

Real's improvement later in the season, leading to the winning of the Primera Liga title, coincided with Beckham's recall.

Carlos said: "There were no bad feelings because he [Beckham] knew it wasn't Capello's fault.

"Now, I am sure that Capello will select Beckham for England - 100 per cent sure.

"He will call David and I think he will make him his captain."

Carlos also believes that Capello will get England winning again - although he has warned England fans not to expect exciting football from the arch-pragmatist.

"England need victories, results, and that he will give them," the Brazilian - who left Madrid for Istanbul with Fenerbahce, told The Observer.

"There will be no spectacle, it will be 1-0, 1-0, 1-0.

"But the team will be there, correctly set up and balanced on the pitch. And always winning."

Carlos added: "I don't know if England will win the World Cup in 2010, but they can make it to the finals. No doubt about that."

Beckham will lead Fabio's England

With Fabio Capello, there is no friendship. I have known him for more than 10 years but we have never talked on the phone about personal matters. Above all, though, he is a fair man. He treats everybody the same way in the dressing room. For him, it is a simple job. When you are working, you are working - there is no room for anything else.

When I joined Real Madrid in 1996, it was at Capello's request. He had seen me playing for Inter and wanted me with him in Spain. I was very young, having just arrived in Europe. He told me I had to work really hard, because he was building a competitive team and wanted the title. The training sessions were incredibly serious, everybody had to be focused all the time.

But it wasn't all about defensive football. From the beginning, he wanted me to be free to attack and go forward. We had a central defender called Rafael Alkorta who was very fast and could cover my back, so Capello told me I should attack instead of worrying too much about my defensive work.

At the end of the 2005-06 season I was about to leave Madrid but I stayed because Capello, back again for his second time as manager, asked me to. He told the board that I was the best left-back in the world and said they would not be able to find another one if they let me go - so we worked together again.

Early in that season there was the problem with David Beckham but it was not Capello who threw him out of the team. Whatever it might have looked like, that was a decision that came from the board and Capello was forced to accept it. It really surprised me the way he was left alone to take the blame for that story. It seemed it was his fault, but it wasn't.

David, meanwhile, was relaxed and tranquil - he knew he would be needed sooner rather than later. After a few games Capello analysed the situation and realised there was only one option: to go against his bosses and bring Beckham back.

He called David, said he was sorry and told him he was back in the team. David wasn't mad, not at all. There were no bad feelings because he knew it wasn't Capello's fault. Now, I am sure that Capello will select Beckham for England - 100 per cent sure. He will call David and I think he will make him his captain.

What Capello likes to see in a player is commitment to training well, and motivation. Whoever practises well will play. For him, the names don't really count, there are no stars.

I won the World Cup with Luiz Felipe Scolari and the two are similar coaches. They are both winners and have many things in common: the way they prepare for games, the systems, what they demand from us. They are both hard on players, really tough guys. My ears were ringing with the complaints from the touchline. Capello blew up at me every time I missed an easy pass or tried moves that were too difficult to execute. He likes things simple.

He used to watch lots of games, so he had all the information, but his team meetings weren't too long - 15 minutes tops, which is shorter and less boring than other coaches. There is no technology, he just uses a board to explain what he wants, the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents and that's it. There is no need for talk when you work during the week and that is what he did. Training was conditioned according to the next opponent and he talked to every player about his personal challenges and the characteristics of the players you were going to mark or attack.

Capello is strong with the press. He always says that journalists' opinions change with results. If you win, everything is fine and you are doing a great job. If you lose, you will be criticised. Yes, he will suffer with the English press, like everyone else. Yes, he will become enemy number one in the sports pages - he is too straightforward. But what people have to understand is that England need a coach like him.

England need victories, results, and that he will give them. There will be no spectacle, it will be 1-0, 1-0, 1-0... But the team will be there, correctly set up and balanced on the pitch. And always winning.

You can argue that he gets better results in league competitions than in cup games but what I know is that Capello will get England to qualify for the World Cup. I am sure of that. He will have the necessary time to build the team, prepare it, work on tactics and win games. I don't know if England will win the World Cup in 2010, but they can make it to the finals. No doubt about that.