NationStates Jolt Archive

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/01/11/beckham/index.html

Wow. Just... wow.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/01/11/beckham/index.html

Wow. Just... wow.

He gets paid lots to do little. It was his best choice I feel, he couldn't move to a top club since he's not a world class player anymore, and his wages/profile would suffer too much if he went to a mediocre club in Europe. By going to the USA he can say things like "helping the game develop" and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Pele. Good move.

He gets paid lots to do little. It was his best choice I feel, he couldn't move to a top club since he's not a world class player anymore, and his wages/profile would suffer too much if he went to a mediocre club in Europe. By going to the USA he can say things like "helping the game develop" and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Pele. Good move.

Agreed, rather clever decision on his part.

Posh just probably wants to see if she can get into the movies, is all.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/01/11/beckham/index.html

Wow. Just... wow.

I and many others including international coaches would disagree his career talent wise is on the wane, he was never that good to begin with. A one trick pony(dead ball specialist), a midfielder that couldn't dribble, take on a defender (1v1),couldn't tackle or defend. He was an over hyped pretty boy that was good for marketing selling millions of replica jerseys and posters to teenage girls.

Agreed, its a very good move.

Anyway, the guy is rich, handsome and has an amazing wife. What does he needs that he doesnt have anymore?

And, as said, Pele did the same thing, and it didnt hurt his reputation.

This is tragic. I grew up watching this man in awe and adulation. He was an icon at United, and now he is a washout. This is not dignified for a player who played alongside Keane, Scholes, Cantona, Giggs and van Nistelrooy.

Overpaid footballers irritate me, so meh.

It would amuse me greatly if he accidentally joined an American Football team and got pasted :D

Major league soccer :confused:

Anyway, the guy is rich, handsome and has an amazing wife. What does he needs that he doesnt have anymore?

I disagree

This is probably a bit of British person's stereotyping, but I thought football (soccer for those in the US) was a game mainly for the girls in the US.

How many US citizens have heard of Beckham or if they have heard of him know who he is or what he does?

This is probably a bit of British person's stereotyping, but I thought football (soccer for those in the US) was a game mainly for the girls in the US.

hence why the world plays it so much where after your women! :cool:

How many US citizens have heard of Beckham or if they have heard of him know who he is or what he does?

have you been living under a rock…in the Sun :eek:

How many US citizens have heard of Beckham or if they have heard of him know who he is or what he does?

Beckham is one of the few soccer (or football) players that the majority of Americans can recognize. I'm not too sure there are many others.

Beckham is one of the few soccer (or football) players that the majority of Americans can recognize. I'm not too sure there are many others.

Try recognizing American football players out of uniform, if you want a challenge. :D Anyway, Beckham is easy, he's the one standing next to Posh.

have you been living under a rock…in the Sun :eek:

I don't get to see too much sun in England I'm afraid (although a bit of global warming might improve that, but that's for a different topic).

As for living under a rock - I honestly have no idea what impact football has in the US. As I have said I still thought it was considered a girl's game in the US!!! So Just how big is football in the US now then?

I don't get to see too much sun in England I'm afraid (although a bit of global warming might improve that, but that's for a different topic).

As for living under a rock - I honestly have no idea what impact football has in the US. As I have said I still thought it was considered a girl's game in the US!!! So Just how big is football in the US now then?

The big cities all have teams, but the games are mainly played on the secondary sports cable stations in bars when there aren't any baseball/basketball/hockey/poker games on. I've noticed the lack of commercial breaks during these games, which probably have deterred any would-be sponsors (with the exception of Nike and Gatorade). If they can figure out some sort of bigger advertising system, the sport might get more play time on TV. But who knows.

If they can figure out some sort of bigger advertising system, the sport might get more play time on TV. But who knows.

That is interesting. When Sky TV got the rights to showing football in the UK a lot of people thought that the games would be ruined by advertisments showing up whilst play was going on. As far as I can tell, Sky haven't ruined their television coverage with TV advertising. I accept Sky does get income from subscription fees and pay on demand fees etc, but I bet Sky get a nice wedge from advertisers and the advertising companies feel they are getting their message out to a very very large audience.

I can't see how US companies would want to miss out on the opportunity to advertise to what is a potential world audience.

The big cities all have teams, but the games are mainly played on the secondary sports cable stations in bars when there aren't any baseball/basketball/hockey/poker games on. I've noticed the lack of commercial breaks during these games, which probably have deterred any would-be sponsors (with the exception of Nike and Gatorade). If they can figure out some sort of bigger advertising system, the sport might get more play time on TV. But who knows.

And it isn't just girls who play the sport over here, the schoolboys play it, too, all through their school years. The last World Cup, while not a rcord-breaker, got surprisingly good coverage here.

Football is big in the US with kids up to a certain age because it doesn't require as many kids field a team to play and you don't have to be a huge kid to be competative whereas with American Football the bigger you are the better even as a kid. It is also easier in the midwest and more rural areas to get football (soccer) teams together. At some point though, American Football popularity takes over because in the US American Football and Soccer Football are the same season of the year in schools. American Football has such a huge passionate following as well that is fostered by University teams and professional teams whereas we're never exposed to the best players in the world in soccer to see the game played at its peak.

Face it...the man was always Hollywood. It's a perfect match.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=399465&cc=5901

This is tragic. I grew up watching this man in awe and adulation. He was an icon at United, and now he is a washout. This is not dignified for a player who played alongside Keane, Scholes, Cantona, Giggs and van Nistelrooy.

Hmmmm...let me see- "dignified" or $100,000,000.00...I cant decide....


I dont think he'll much give a flying fuck as to who judges him "dignified" or not.

whereas we're never exposed to the best players in the world in soccer to see the game played at its peak.


Well Beckham is certainly up there amongst the best players at the moment and he sure is popular around the world.
Maybe he might draw the TV advertisers out to put money into US football.

As for football being played during the same season as other sports - once the advertising money starts having an influence - it'll change. Look at rugby (union and league) in the UK - Once that started to draw in the sponsorship/advertising money, they were very quick to make changes to when their season started and finished.

Lots of people will compare this to when Pele and Beckenbauer went to the USA and say "but Beckham is younger he hasn't reached the end of his career yet". Sorry folks, but Beckham was never a Pele or beckenbauer in the first place. He has been signed because of his commercial pull, not at all because of his footballing abilities (which now are mediocre at best). This signing has nothing to do with footbal and all to do with commercial and financial pull. A sad comment on the game.

Madrid offered him a new contract; he decided that he didn't want to be a bit player under Capello. Which is fair enough.

He was never as useless as some other galacticos, and he always tried. Thanks Dave! :)

Don't worry. He won't take our minds off:

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/basketball/nba/12/29/lakers.bobcats.ap/T1_1229_2kobedrive.jpg

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/01/11/beckham/index.html

Wow. Just... wow.

Did you see Romario when he played those two games for Adelaide United? He still had that goal sense, but he ran less than the average statue.

Yis.

He's on the wane. A fifty million dollar a year wane. For less work.

Actually I heard that Posh was getting into scientology, so the move to whackado central (california) makes a lot of sense in that light. But you didn't hear that from me.

@ Potato Factory, are you going to the Victory game tonight? I'm just about to head to Telstra Dome.

How many US citizens have heard of Beckham or if they have heard of him know who he is or what he does?all the ones in this Forum and.. maybe 5 % of the pop .. and all the soccer moms :D
This is probably a bit of British person's stereotyping, yes it is ;) but I thought football (soccer for those in the US) was a game mainly for the girls in the US. no it is not.. its a more like a "youngsters sport".

This signing has nothing to do with footbal and all to do with commercial and financial pull.this one.. and the previous one too. ;)

Give him some credit.. he (and his wife) did manage well their image.

The deal is actually pretty outrageous - 5 years at $250 million, which is really a 5 year, $51 million deal with the rest in endorsements.

and, no, the US isnt necessarily a big region for soccer/football. but consider this: los angeles is really a hispanic-dominated region now, and 2,000 season tickets were purchased just today in LA after the news about this signing broke.

I and many others including international coaches would disagree his career talent wise is on the wane, he was never that good to begin with. A one trick pony(dead ball specialist), a midfielder that couldn't dribble, take on a defender (1v1),couldn't tackle or defend. He was an over hyped pretty boy that was good for marketing selling millions of replica jerseys and posters to teenage girls.

many many midfielders can't dribble, you're thinking of wingers. Beckham's talent was for passing. How many assists did he get? Watch how United fell apart after him and Van Nistelrooy said that it was Beckham who enabled him to score so much with the pinpoint crosses. United star, Galactico, England Captain... I find it hard to believe a "one trick pony" could achive that. He has vision, determination and a wicked shot too. The man was an excellent player, whether he still is or not is a different debate. But he is a lot more than just a marketing ploy...

He's a cock for leaving Manc.

Yis.

He's on the wane. A fifty million dollar a year wane. For less work.

Actually I heard that Posh was getting into scientology, so the move to whackado central (california) makes a lot of sense in that light. But you didn't hear that from me.

He's not getting $50,000,000 a year.

His contract with the Galaxy is for around $9,000,000 a year, which isn't that outrageous since he was getting about $6,000,000 with Real Madrid. The other $41,000,000 or so is expected/hoped to come from endorsements. F'rinstance, Adidas will be paying $6,000,000 to advertise on the Galaxy's unis and Beckam gets a piece of that.

Beckham world class??? LOLOL!!!!

Pull the other one. The only things he was any good at was crosses from the right wing and free kicks...and at those he was bloody brilliant. That cannot be denied. But world class? nah.

If there was one thing he could be considered world class at was his total dedication to practicing his game. That is a truth. He does not have the raw talent of say a Rooney or Walcott or Lennon...

Over-rated in my opinion. Don't get me wrong. I am not slagging Beckham...just those that got caught up in the media hype surrounding him.

I hope he does well in LA and brings more attention to the World Game in the US.

I sadly suspect though that Vikki is the main reason....Scientology/film career...enough to make me wanna puke.

[QUOTE=I Love Oranges;12200955]many many midfielders can't dribble, you're thinking of wingers. Beckham's talent was for passing. How many assists did he get? Watch how United fell apart after him and Van Nistelrooy said that it was Beckham who enabled him to score so much with the pinpoint crosses.

My best friend is a professional coach and he is well connected with international professional club and national coaches. He told me how other coaches viewed Becks and how they deal with him at the higest levels(Euro and WCup's). He was right the opponents did exactly as he said they would, he was nullified at the highest levels of play because of his lack of skills. Having him on the field as a set piece specialist was a luxury his team was playing a man down from the opening whistle.

The simple strategy to deal with him; he wasn't a threat to beat a defender 1v1 so the defender never needed covering support, the back four then put double coverage on his targets, end of Beckham threat. He was danger on free kicks and that was all. A midfield that can't dribble is shit, a mid that can't dribble or tackle is extra shit(Becks)

van Nistelrooy, a friend he's hardly going to say Becks was shit is he? and the EPL isn't the world stage, a player needs better skills to effective at that level which Becks never had.

I thought you said cancer...I was like :O

Why join the Galaxy...he should join NE Revolution :D

I thought you said cancer...I was like :O

Why join the Galaxy...he should join NE Revolution :D
Man! you made me look at their site!
Can't say I know any of those guys. Could you please tell me how they have done lately? It was just too longwinded to figure out...

van Nistelrooy, a friend he's hardly going to say Becks was shit is he? and the EPL isn't the world stage, a player needs better skills to effective at that level which Becks never had.

Actually you can say that is a signal issue with the English national team...that the EPL is so extra-ordinary when compared to other national leagues...that the English team are not able to win because the EPL is geared towards 'exciting TV'...

Personally...I blame Sky :D

Actually you can say that is a signal issue with the English national team...that the EPL is so extra-ordinary when compared to other national leagues...that the English team are not able to win because the EPL is geared towards 'exciting TV'...

Personally...I blame Sky :D

I like the EPL it's an entertaining style of football, so I accept part of the blame.

Part of the problem for England is their traditional brand of skill sets is entertaining but not equal to the technical ability that is coming out of other countries. Not to say there aren't excellent English footballers there are, just not enough of them.

I like the EPL it's an entertaining style of football, so I accept part of the blame.

Part of the problem for England is their traditional brand of skill sets is entertaining but not equal to the technical ability that is coming out of other countries. Not to say there aren't excellent English footballers there are, just not enough of them.

Don't get me wrong...I love watching English footy...the only other leagues I can think of that come anywhere near to entertaining are in Brazil and Argentina ! LOL

On the technical level England are far behind because of several reasons mainly to do with the FA and major clubs not reaching an agreement on how players are released for major international level competitions.

The Germans for example have regular get togethers as do I understand the Italians.

Too much money is invested in the clubs over here.

controversy statement - I think one of the truths is that in the UK government is not involved in the game. Unlike in countries like Spain (Real and Barca being cases in point) ..... ! :eek:

Don't get me wrong...I love watching English footy...the only other leagues I can think of that come anywhere near to entertaining are in Brazil and Argentina ! LOL

On the technical level England are far behind because of several reasons mainly to do with the FA and major clubs not reaching an agreement on how players are released for major international level competitions.

The Germans for example have regular get togethers as do I understand the Italians.

Too much money is invested in the clubs over here.

controversy statement - I think one of the truths is that in the UK government is not involved in the game. Unlike in countries like Spain (Real and Barca being cases in point) ..... ! :eek:

That concurs with my coaching friend tells me,English clubs are in for themselves rather than for the country which I can understand they need to be profitable. I know in Holland the all the coaches go through the same uniform training at KNVB. No matter where kids are trained they're learning the same technical skills and tactics so if they're called to the national program they understand the system and know what is expected of them. The entire country is like one enormous club academy all with the same end goal.

I'm told the French also have an excellent developmental system but I don't know anything about it. Brazil, an enormous base of talent how can any country compete with the shear numbers of kids playing and the knowledgeable coaches to guide them. Maybe in the future the USA, the they have the numbers playing and the cash needed, they only need the coaching experience.

That concurs with my coaching friend tells me,English clubs are in for themselves rather than for the country which I can understand they need to be profitable. I know in Holland the all the coaches go through the same uniform training at KNVB. No matter where kids are trained they're learning the same technical skills and tactics so if they're called to the national program they understand the system and know what is expected of them. The entire country is like one enormous club academy all with the same end goal.

I'm told the French also have an excellent developmental system but I don't know anything about it. Brazil, an enormous base of talent how can any country compete with the shear numbers of kids playing and the knowledgeable coaches to guide them. Maybe in the future the USA, the they have the numbers playing and the cash needed, they only need the coaching experience.

The French did not win the WC and European Championship through a fluke. They started planning to win that competition back in 1990. They stuck to their plan. They had government involvement and managed to get the clubs on their side as well.

It all came together for them in 98. I doubt France would have lost even if Ronaldo had been fully fit.

England...fuck...we can't even get our new national stadium built on time and on budget.

I think you also made some comments regarding how good Beckham is. Your post pretty much mirrors my thoughts. Beckham was great at crosses and free kicks. And practicing. Thats how he managed to get a slightly above average talent to the levels he did...and that to be honest is a great achievement. But to call him world class...well pundits will be pundits.

Beckham played well for Real and Manure...he's practice took him to being one of the best at two things. Crosses and free kicks. The rest of his game was decidedly average. You can see this when he plays central midfield as a holding player. Even when given space to roam he still looks constrained.