Beckham: I prefer it in the middle

[Leon of Silvren]

Real Madrid ace David Beckham has admitted he wants to be played in central midfield.


"I am happy there, I admit that," he said. "I'm more involved and I do prefer to play in the middle."

Beckham also admits he hopes to play former club Manchester United in the Champions League this season.

"Yes, it is my dream. I would like to return and to play there (at Old Trafford). I have friends and to return to Old Trafford with Madrid would be special. But most important now is that we get past the quarters."
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See? That's what I was trying to tell you, but no one ever listens to me.......:annoyed:

I read a deeper article about this, where Becks talk about the advantages and disadvantages of playing there, but this works too, said by himself!

[lallan]

I noticed that 2, he plays with much more passion when he is in the CM because he has 2 defend and pass the ball 4ward with his amazing passing skills, on the rt he has 2 dribble(this is la liga dribbling skills r a must 4 a winger) & he aint that type of player so I think once the team gets a great CM 2 play alongside him(Gerrard hopefully) the team will be more stable.

when the hell will woodgate play?

[zenden9]

He is still best in wing! Central Midfield position will not show his best.

[icy55]

wingers are only suited for people like figo and zidane.. their dribbling skills are superb and almost spotless.. i think beckham should jus play Cm he is pretty good and useful there..

[hezri]

Beck is effective winger in EPL bcoz that's the kind skill needed there . But in La liga , winger must be good in dribbling and ball control , because midfielders and defenders in La Liga are damn good in stealing balls . In Laliga , if he wants to play as winger , he need to do more quick passes so the ball wont get to the opponent's possession .

[Leon of Silvren]

Woodgate is hoping to play in 2005.

And is true what you guys say, he is not suited for wing in Spain, good to see you all are aware of that! :)

[Rickster]

In realmadrid no he doesnt play well on the wing. y bcos the forwards arent superb at heading (only morientes which they dunt even use). even if he doesnt dribble al he has to do is receive the pass and cross (thats what he did in man.utd which eventually got him success and man. u has ruud who is gud at heading). so if realmadrid wana play him on the wing them put morientes on. otherwise CM. i would suggest figo on the left becks on the right n zidane next to becks, bcos zidane can do all the dribbling to help out becks, cos becks isnt gud at dribblin.

[Leon of Silvren]

Owen is good at heading too, his height doesn't help him though, and Raul is decent, but that's not the point, talking about the headers you are implying that he did make it to the line, which is the most difficult thing for him.

[Rickster]

Yes but i still do think its cos of the striker who can head. bcos becks did so well for man utd n this was due to juz one touch n a cross n ruud wud finish it off. Yes raul is decent but hes stil not the best at it.

[7becks7]

rickster's right, the reason why becks was so successfull in the premiership was because of his ability to swing the ball in with precision as soon as he had even a little bit of room, he didn't need to dribble at all, because he was able to do the job from long distances, he's able to cross it in with accuraccy from the half-way mark, so I don't think becks would have too much problems on the right even in spain, but real madrid don't quite have superb players in the air

[Leon of Silvren]

But things in Spain are different than in England, the mark is more tight, I invite you to see a La Liga game and I'll let you see how many times a midfielder can make a cross without making a sprint or a dribble, just look at Figo, he always have 2 players hanging on him, but he manages to get rid of them with a dribble or something, and I'm sure the teams are gonna mark him in the same way.

And also look at spanish wingers, Vicente, Joaquin and Etxeberria, all of them are fast and good dribblers. In the Premiership yes, he was given the ball and he made the cross, but problem is that in Spain they don't give too much space to make a pass, specially in the sides, so for more talented Becks is, he can't throw a good cross from 30 meters from the box.....let's face it, Becks can't play as right wing in Spain.

[Rickster]

no i dunt think u are correct. bcos wing backs and central defenders protect more of the middle until the ball is played down the flanks then the wing backs come to mark.this is bcos the most vulnerable part of the pitch is down the middle. and this it true with which ever league there is, and every league will follow this rule to mark down the middle until the ball is played to the flanks.
in real madrids case:
play figo down the left flank n zidane next to becks, becks on the right. i dunt like the formation realmadrid plays at the moment, its kinda like 4-5-1. i prefer how del bosque setup the formation.

in real madrids case: play more down the left and middle, then quickly change to the right flank, reason for this.... no one will mark becks bcos everyone is switched down to left flank or middle, then pass to becks n becks has space to cross

[Leon of Silvren]

It's obvious that the mark in the center is more tight, but you are just jumping into conclusions without even knowing anything about La Liga, in Spain EVERY wing back is fast, and Becks can't with that, and the mark is very tight, you can't make a throught pass to your wing and expect he has free space to make the cross, the only way you can get rid of the mark in the sides is whether making a dribble or a sprint.

And the play you describe is ridiculous, think about it: it can be sucessful once of twice, but what will happen when the teams know the play?? It'll be completely useless, and besides, is too much work for just a cross, which we are uncertain that a-will be a good cross and b-that the strikers will head the ball even c-that Becks do can make the cross and d-that even if Becks can make the cross, and even if it's a good cross, and even if one of the strikers head the ball, we are uncertain that if the header will end in a goal........besides, if you're expecting that a quick change of sides will leave alone and without mark Becks let me tell you that you're gonna end dissapointed. Teams try that every game, with other players, almost never is accomplished.

Now, let me narrate you a classic play in Spain, where the wing can make the cross: first they have the ball in their own field, say the CM, he makes a pass to the playmaker, the wing is open and the former passes the ball to the latter, now at the time he receives the ball, the wing back should be running behind the wing, and typically the CM of the other team is marking the wing, and the wing back is marking the other wing back, now, the wing has either 3 options: a-sprint or dribble and make the cross (Becks can't do that), b-making a 1-2 pass with the wing back or the playmaker (Becks lacks of speed, he can't do that), or c-making a throught pass to the wing back so he can cross.

There's only one way Becks can make a cross, that is making several passes in the right side to confuse the defense, eventually they'll leave a free spot, in which Becks can sneak into and make the cross, but for that Real will need many players with good passing ability, Zidane, Figo, Raul, and even with that is not guaranteed that Becks will make it to the line......

Now, and the most important point, Becks himself said he likes to play in the center the most, if he says so is because he doesn't feel comfortable in the right side, because he HAS played there, but not sucessfully. Besides, in the spot he's playing now he has more chances to win the line than if he was playing in the right, let me explain: while Figo and Salgado are caughting the defender's attention, Becks run and makes space, there's when Figo makes a pass to him with plenty space.

I hope you understood my point, and I invite you to see Real's game tomorrow, and see closely Figo, what he has to do to make a cross, then you'll understand what I'm saying.

[Rickster]

leon... i support real madrid n i watch their games.. i tink i know more than enough, n i dunt need u to say "come and watch a real madrid game". and not knowin bout la liga.

yes ppl will then understand the tactic i sed... but it does take 4 to 5 games until a club realises, n dunt say im wrong, bcos luk at everton and arsenal, they ahve been playin good tactics and especially arsenal has always kept to the same tactic for one whole season n still won the english league champ.

im not sayin tat juz play on the left wing then always pass to the right for a cross. i juz sugested tat they can do tat. but focus on the left wing so tat the opposition will focus down the left wing, while bveckham is unmarked n then they can if they want to pass the ball to the right. n becks can cross

do u actually know tat passin is better than dribblin. n the game itself corrects the dribbler not to be so ball hogger.


n im not sayin becks always has to cross.

n i did say tat real madrid dint have any more than decent headers except for morientes.

n i sed becks does well on right wing bcos he delivers balls to the middle where ruud finishes it off.

beckham is probably sayin that he like CM bcos realmadrid told him to or he says it juz to get into a team where its so hard to put beckham into a position

[Leon of Silvren]

I don't think he said that just because he was told to do so, after all he was the one that talked about the poor trainings in Real, now why should he play the good boy role and repeat everything that he's told, he likes to play there and he'll remain there no matter what you say.

And for the record, you watch Real games, but doesn't seem to understand the team that much, Remon doesn't have the guts to change the formation, hence there will be no major changes there until a smart coach arrives, and sorry if you got offended for what I said.

[ItalianBoy]

How stupid is he? He is playing so crappy there and he says he likes it in the middle?

[7becks7]

the reason why he likes to play in the middle because it allows him a better chance to influence the game

[Rickster]

no im wasnt offended juz abit frustrated at how remon is runnin the club. i still dunt understand why they axed del bosque.
i dunt tink they will change the formation since remon isnt daring enuf to do so. but if they want to change they shud start now as the break is comin into place n they can start training in different positions.

[lallan]

yes there has 2 be more than 2 FREAKING signings in January, or else I can guarantee the team wont win a thing by the end of the year, its THAT IMPORTANT.....

[Rickster]

the only person they need to sign is a central defender... like a fast one like lucio from bayern

[Leon of Silvren]

Well they fired Del Bosque because they wanted to 'renew the team', that's a lame excuse if you ask me, who knows what really happened there.....

And we need more than a fast defender, we need a centre mid and a guy that lives-up the team, someone talented, fast who has the surprise factor, someone that plays the same role than Robben in Chelsea, someone fast and with good dribbling. Madrid's game has become too predictable and too much horizontal.

[Rickster]

quite right. although i tink they juz need motivation. alot of motivation. bcos ronaldo is always changin his game, his goals are always different. however i tink zidane has got to go. solari shud take his place. n they shud buy diego and lucio :D

[ItalianBoy]

Rickster, man, you really need some teaching. For one thing, Real Madrid needs DM. They already have a CD and its Samuel. Let the guy adapt pls. And Lucio? Fast? Dude, Lucio is GONE as a player and if there is one thing he is not is fast. He is tall so it might look like it, but he aint that great a player at all. Madrid firing Del Bosque was stupid. They fired him and did it Perez style, someone who has no clue on how the game works and can only spend money to then get called a great manager. Beats me. He did bring greast in Madrid like Ronaldo and back in the day Zidane. But now he is RUINING the team.

Beckham more control of the game? Should I laugh or cry? e has no control what so ever guys. He says he likes to play middle so that it seems he loves Madrid and is part of the team. Its all bollox players say. Like when Thuram said he wanted to play CD when he clearly sucked there. Beckham in Madrid has played few games that can be given a 6. He should go back to ENG.

[Leon of Silvren]

We need a centre back, we have Samuel, yes, but he can't do the all the job just by himself! Let's face it, Helguera has so much guts but he isn't a good player at all. And Woodgate will start playing like in 2006......but I don't think Lucio is the man, we need someone young and fast, strong yet agile, a talented guy who can work alongside Il Muro.

About Becks, I can start over the whole exlanation of his game at Real, but I'm sooo tired of writing down the same thing over and over......I'll try to make it short: Ever since Redondo left the team there were no player that could take the ball from the defense and make the transition to the attack, until a young prospect came and did the job well, his name is Cambiasso, but he's far, far away from Madrid. Hierro from the centreback spot was the one that gave a safe exit to the defense, then Conceicao, then Makelele and then Guti, but we all know they didn't make the job so well.

So now Becks is the one that takes the ball from the defense and provides short precision passes to Zidane or Figo, so they could carry the ball and make plays, or he throws long passes to Raul or Ronaldo -or Owen- before he came, Real didn't score goals like that, in 'the old english style'.

Besides, and to end, I prefer him millions of times over Celades or even Guti when it comes down to defend, he has improved a lot this years, in England he played as a wing, but in Spain he can't do that anymore (if you're asking yourself why just read my previous posts), he had a terrific start of season, he was doing what Xavi is doing right now for Barca, but after the injury he declined a lot, let's give him a couple of games more so he can warm-up again and show everything I've said.

[ItalianBoy]

Nice try of excusing him but makes no. I agree about the Redondo part, and that is why I say a DM is needed, that is what DM's do. Beckham is not a DM and buying him to transform him into something he cant do, its quite dull. Beckham is used and has the qualities to play with a certain module and THATS IT, If played with that ol' ManU style, then he can be class with his passes and lobs, but right now with the Madrid way of playing, he is doing aweful. Plain and simple. Redondo, Cambiasso, Makelele, Geremi, Flavio Conceiçao were all DM's. Sure they were not amazing but hey, with them Madrid was kicking ass and now with Becks they are doing so bad. As far as the D I agree, Samuel cant do everything by himself but the priority of Madrid is that link you talk about, that link that Beckham clearly cant provide.

[hezri]

Nice try of excusing him but makes no. I agree about the Redondo part, and that is why I say a DM is needed, that is what DM's do. Beckham is not a DM and buying him to transform him into something he cant do, its quite dull. Beckham is used and has the qualities to play with a certain module and THATS IT, If played with that ol' ManU style, then he can be class with his passes and lobs, but right now with the Madrid way of playing, he is doing aweful. Plain and simple. Redondo, Cambiasso, Makelele, Geremi, Flavio Conceiçao were all DM's. Sure they were not amazing but hey, with them Madrid was kicking ass and now with Becks they are doing so bad. As far as the D I agree, Samuel cant do everything by himself but the priority of Madrid is that link you talk about, that link that Beckham clearly cant provide.

It's damn true that the team need a DM . But I think Beck deserves great credit for his improvement and many effective efforts . It's true Beck is not DM and we need a DM , but he plays great . The problem is after the severe lung related injury , he obviously faces fitness problems . That's the excuse for his below average performance . I think we should give him some hope .
But of course , if we get a DM everything will back to normal . Hopefully , Perez will get strong DM . I kinda disagree with Gerrard's rumour . He is great but he doesnt fullfill what the team need currently . A fast and defence-oriented DM ; someone like Zambtotta or Van Bommel .

[Leon of Silvren]

IB: Becks is doing all he can do, he can't mark, pass, run, attack, defend, etc. at the same time......if you put a quality defensive mid at his side, you'll see how's he gonna play.

[Rickster]

errr IB i tink we need a central defender not quite a DMC if real madrid wana cut down on the spending. helguera can play in DMC plus helguera suxs like linkin to samuel. n samuel keeps gettin brought out too much cos roberto carlos runs forward so theres no superb defender to take the centre spot.

[GiorgioII]

I really do pity the patheticism of Beckham. He thinks or should I say 'finks' that he is capable of leading this Real Madrid team from the centre of midfield, well he can think again. His natural abilities suited him to a wingers role in the english league, but in La Liga he is a)not fast enough and b) not skilfull enough. So that is one point that it seems most people are agreed on. But putting him in the centre of midfield really isn't a good idea unless you want to throw away your season. He can't tackle, commits fouls when he actually attempts to make a tackle and can only make long passes. I think you will find that his general passing to feet is nothing special.

I just hate Beckham so much. He has the arrogance to say that he wants to play in central midfield for England when we already have Gerrard and Lampard there who are both 100 times more useful than Beckham. The guy is living on cloud coockoo land. If I were Garcia Raimon I would drop him and never pick him again. Sign Gerrard and play him in central mid where Beckham is desperate to play and you will see just how unuseful Beckham has been for you all this time.

[Leon of Silvren]

All I have to say is this: with a quality defensive mid Becks will be able to show all his potential in the centremid position, you'll see.....

And one last thing G, I think that saying he can play as centremid is not arrogance, at least to me it isn't.

[Becks]

Let's look back, he has already scored a goal playing right wing this season, compared to the few he scored while playing CM. Maybe he should be moved left...

[Leon of Silvren]

I understand your point, but I think he could be more useful playing as centre mid than right wing -if the forenamed player arrive- besides, I don't think Becks can take ownership of that spot, spot that belongs to Figo....

BUT I think Real can try something new, making a diamond in the midfield with Figo on the left and Becks on the right, Zizou as playmaker and Celades as DM, but that's too risky, Celades is not Makelele and we know Figo and Zidane are not the kind of players who likes to defend, it could be tried though......

[Becks]

Aye, Madrid do need to change up their formations. Their play has become too predictable in the past few seasons. Look at some vintage RM matches and you will understand what I am saying.

[GiorgioII]

And one last thing G, I think that saying he can play as centremid is not arrogance, at least to me it isn't.

It most certainly is arrogance when he says he should play in central midfield for England. That means that one of Lampard or Gerrard would have to be dropped, which would be ridiculous as these two players are two of England's best. Perhaps my feelings about Beckham are a little blinkered as he is no longer the media darling that he once was in England, but I just feel he doesn't have the necessary attirbutes to play central midfield for England or the necessary attributes to play on the wing in Spain.

[GiorgioII]

This should be Real's midfield for next season if they want to win anything:

Figo - Gerrard - Mascherano - Zidane

That would be unbeatable :thumbsup: .

[lallan]

Better

Figo - Gerrard - Becks - Zidane

[GiorgioII]

Better

Figo - Gerrard - Becks - Zidane

Man are you joking? That would leave the midfield with only one player who can actually make tackles. Gerrard isn't a real defensive midfielder anyway. I am not really convinced by the argument of 'if you put Beckham with a dm you will see all the great work he will do,' but if that is the one that is going to be used then you can't because Gerrard isn't a real DM. Mascherano is however, and not only that, but also one of the best talents in the game. I think my midfield is a lot better than yours, but of course you are the Real fan so your opinions on the team are more informed and more important than mine ;) .

[Gunner4ever]

i dont think Beckham is a good CM so i think he should stay on the right...

[Leon of Silvren]

It most certainly is arrogance when he says he should play in central midfield for England. That means that one of Lampard or Gerrard would have to be dropped, which would be ridiculous as these two players are two of England's best. Perhaps my feelings about Beckham are a little blinkered as he is no longer the media darling that he once was in England, but I just feel he doesn't have the necessary attirbutes to play central midfield for England or the necessary attributes to play on the wing in Spain.
Well G, if he said that he 'should' play there then it is arrogance.

And I don't agree with neither of you....

Zidane - Gerard - Beckham - Robinho

[ItalianBoy]

You mean

Beckham Gerrad Zidane Robinho right?
How can you play Becks center I really dont know.

[Leon of Silvren]

Is more like:

-----Zidane-----------Robinho

------Beckham---Gerard

Just like the formation Real is using now.

[ItalianBoy]

I hope you mean
Beckham Gerrard
Zidane Robinho right? And why make Zidane a sort of winger and insist on Beckham playeing leftcenter mid?

[Leon of Silvren]

Zidane's not a winger, he's free to move throughout the center and left side, while Robinho will have the right flank. And Becks and Gerard in the double-pivot.