Mad Brit Diary

Man. United banishing Beckham? Only in a world gone mad.

(Friday, June 13, 2003) -- The Mad Brit can't believe what's happening -- the world's gone mad.

The Middle East is exploding -- what's new there? -- and David Beckham is in the news nearly every minute of the day, even in the United States where soccer is considered the fifth-string sport. The New York Times had a massive story on the classy midfielder this week while the American network CNN seems to be obsessed with him.

Beckham's expected transfer from Manchester United to either Barcelona or Real Madrid has created a worldwide media frenzy, unprecedented in the history of the game. Since when did the trade of a soccer player get so much news in America? It just hasn't happened before, maybe not since Brazilian ace Pele joined the New York Cosmos back in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, the Golden Boy was sunning himself in California with wife Posh Spice and the kids, saying he doesn't want to leave United. Of course, Beckham has to say that; he's fighting for the best deal. It's a barter game. Beckham can fight to stay at United or he can take a risk and seek to conquer Spain, hopefully building an even bigger fan base there. At Barcelona or Real Madrid, he would be playing with some of the best players in the world, so how can he go wrong?

But at the moment, Beckham is stuck between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Manchester United is making no comment, leaving its star midfielder blowing in the wind. It seems the club really does want to sell him and is just watching that sale price go even higher. And to all those people e-mailing the Mad Brit telling him that Beckham is overrated and not a world-class player -- you're naive and stupid. Beckham helped United win eight Premier League titles in 11 years, plus the Champions League Cup. He's the captain of England, and led the team to beat Argentina at the World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane is a great player, but he didn't do much for France at the 2002 World Cup, did he? The Frenchman was injured, I hear you saying. Well so was Beckham. Zidane is a great player, one of the best, and it would be wonderful to see Beckham playing next to him. Imagine Beckham sending in some of his pinpoint crosses to Ronaldo and Raul to finish off? Imagine the TV ratings for those games worldwide?

The Mad Brit would hate to Beckham leave the Premiership, but the idea of him playing at Real or Barca is mouth-watering. Who knows, he could even develop into a better player and lead England to a World Cup final one day. United wants to sell him because Beckham is at the prime of his game. The Red Devils can get the best price for Beckham right now, and with all that dough, estimated between a $30-$50 million transfer fee, they can buy some pretty good talent.

Man. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants to prove it's he, and not Beckham, that made United great. Beckham is almost bigger than the club when it comes to media exposure. Maybe in Ferguson's eyes, the "bender of balls" has become a distraction. The New York Times writer in his article this week, was calling up pubs across England to get a gauge on the Beckham phenomena, but the best quote came from American national-team captain Claudio Reyna.

"His consistency over the last six or seven years, he's won everything imaginable," Reyna told the Times. "He never takes a game off. He works hard, even if things are not going well. His ability to strike the ball and his free kicks are as good as anyone's."

And what about this blockbuster quote in the British press from Johan Cruyff, the former Barcelona player and coach, who would love to see Becks play for Barca. "If I was president of Barcelona ,I would sign David Beckham with my eyes closed," he said. "He is an icon but he is also a footballer. When he plays, something like 25 per cent of the goals have something to do with him. He can run, pass, has the right temperament. He can do everything."

Now, are you Beckham haters telling me that Cruyff, one of the greatest players of all time, doesn't know a thing or two about the game?

Diane Smith writes: "In your last diary column, you talked about Tim Howard and mentioned that there is something about American keepers that helps them succeed overseas. I noticed the same thing myself, and my personal theory on this is that it's because basketball is such a big sport over here, much more so than the rest of the world. Howard, at least, was a basketball star as well as a soccer star, and my guess is that the others very likely played the sport as well, at least through high school. In many ways, basketball is perfect training for goalkeeping."

Nick Camilleri says: "Why are rumors spreading in the U.S. that Tim Howard will be the starting goalie for Man. Utd. next season? It's not a fair expectation with which to burden a young player. Howard is a very interesting prospect and I'm sure that Man. Utd. has seriously inquired about his services, as it probably has for a dozen other goalies. I would love to see Howard play in Europe, where he belongs. However if he is picked up by Man. Utd., he will spend at least two seasons on loan in Portugal or Belgium, or maybe in the English First Division, where his skills can be put to the test and hopefully developed.

Yuri Simpson writes: "Mad Brit, ever since Peter Schmiechel left, Man. U. has gone for big-name keepers over keepers of substance. (Massimo) Taibi, (Mark) Bosnich and (Fabien) Barthez come to mind. Man. U. could have had either (Kasey) Keller or (Brad) Friedel for nothing before last year. But they have to go with the "Big Name" because they are a "Big Club." Tim Howard is a choice for substance over marketing. He is a damn good keeper who will never give up the sorts of goals that Barthez regularly concedes. Barthez has consistently been the weak link in United's chain.

Joe Santos writes: "What's your opinion on the chances of Joe Cannon being a national-team goalkeeper? I know there is plenty of competition, but having seen Joe many times in San Jose, I believe he is one of the best Americans in that position."

Heard a rumor, have a gripe or a tip? Feeling lonely? E-mail the Mad Brit at themadbrit3@aol.com.