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| Can Beckham make it to 100? |
David Beckham has been recalled 重召回 to the England squad for the friendly 友誼賽 with France in Paris on 26 March.
The LA Galaxy midfielder 中場隊(duì)員, 32, who has 99 caps 為國家對(duì)出場的次數(shù), is in the squad named by coach Fabio Capello.
Beckham was omitted 排除 from Capello's first squad, for February's 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland, along with Chelsea duo 兩人 John Terry and Frank Lampard, who both return after injury.
But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was watched by Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in a friendly for LA Galaxy in Dallas and obviously did enough 足以證明 to convince the Italians over his fitness.
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I always said that when David was fit he could be in the squad. I have had good reports on him from Franco, and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team.
England manager, Fabio Capello
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Capello says he knows what Beckham "can offer the team". He says this because he was Beckham's manager for his final season at Real Madrid.
Capello initially dropped 排除 the former England captain in Spain but Beckham fought his way back into 重新擠入 the side and was one of the most influential 具有影響力的 players in their successful title chase 冠軍爭奪戰(zhàn).
LA Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has no doubts about Beckham's sharpness 銳氣.
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Merit 
David has played in all our pre-season games. He is healthy, excited and motivated. Every player wants to be called up on merit. As significant as it is to get your 100th cap, this is a situation where Fabio Capello is calling in a great player to help him with the task in hand.
LA Galaxy manager, Alexi Lalas
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Lalas says "every player wants to be called up 召回 on merit 狀態(tài)". He means players want to play for their country because they are good enough, not for sentimental 感情的 reasons.
But he thinks that Beckham is still a great player and that he will help Capello with "the task at hand". He means Beckham will play a meaningful role 有意義的角色 in the effort to beat France and not just be on the pitch as a token gesture 象征性的舉動(dòng).
There is a keen interest 很想知道 in who Capello will choose as his captain against France.
Liverpool midfielder Steve Gerrard wore the skipper's armband 隊(duì)長的袖標(biāo) against Switzerland but John Terry, who was the captain under the previous manager Steve McClaren, was ruled out 排除 of that match because of injury.
