Beckham close to finalising return to AC Milan

David Beckham has revealed he is ready to sign a loan agreement with AC Milan to keep his dream of playing at a fourth World Cup finals alive.

The San Siro was always the likely destination for Beckham in January with Major League Soccer in close season hibernation, and while the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has a number of interested parties he remains committed to a Serie A return.

For the first time since moving to the United States in 2007, Beckham seems set for an extended season with the Galaxy primed for the end-of-season play-offs. On Thursday, they beat Chicago 1-0 to move to the top of the Western Conference with two games remaining in the regular season.

Beckham will have a couple of months to rest before moving back to Italy for a second spell.

England coach Fabio Capello has made it clear he must return to play in Europe to remain in his plans for South Africa.

"There are other options available but none that will stop me going to Milan," the LA Galaxy player told the Mail on Sunday. "It is close to being finalised.

"When I left (Milan), they said they wanted me to come straight back. I had such a marvellous time there. They're a great club."

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Gerrard backs Owen return

Steven Gerrard believes former Liverpool team-mate and close friend Michael Owen still has a future with England.

Owen has again been overlooked by Fabio Capello for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Kazakhstan and Andorra raising further doubts about his England ambitions.

The Newcastle striker has missed all of England's World Cup qualifying campaign after an injury-hit spell on Tyneside, but Gerrard has backed Owen to win his place back in Capello's plans.

"I'm a big fan of Michael Owen, a good friend of his," said Gerrard. "I'd love to see him get a move from Newcastle to a big club and get his England career back on track.

"I do believe he can play for England again. He has suffered a lot with injuries for the past couple of years but I believe a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be involved in the squad.
"I'm sure he will be desperate to get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring goals. That is what he loves doing."

Target

Meanwhile, Gerrard believes England need to match Spain if they are to have any chance of winning the World Cup next summer.

Gerrard has installed Euro 2008 winners Spain as favourites for the 2010 World Cup, but the Liverpool midfielder has been encouraged by the progress made by England under Capello.

Gerrard said: "How far are England off the likes of Spain? It is difficult to say how far but it is certainly clear Spain are the benchmark for this team.

"Spain have got to be massive favourites for South Africa, the way they have been playing of late, and how well they played against us.

"I think it was a good thing we played them to get an idea of how good they are so we know how much we need to improve from now to South Africa."

Winning mentality

Gerrard added: "I think that winning mentality has transferred itself to the team - but let's not get carried away."There is still a long way to go, a lot of improvement for this team to do before we can win a World Cup.

"But I'm certainly confident we can go better than what we have produced before. I think we are progressing well, getting stronger, becoming more of a team.

"We've been guilty of playing like individuals in the past but I think the manager is focusing a lot on the team.
"We've got the right mentality at the moment and we need to keep winning because it breeds confidence."


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Dark side of Wayne Rooney shows again alongside spectacular goal

Wayne Rooney's temperament often overshadows an impressive career with England.

Widely accused of suffering from a very short fuse, the Manchester United striker is no stranger to criticism from England managers past and present.

They worry about his ability to control tempestuous emotions on the field.

Yet, the 23-year-old marksman has been sent off only once in a flourishing international career that saw him pick up his 51st cap against Kazakhstan yesterday.

During that time, he has scored 22 goals - including a spectacular volley in Almaty.

On his day, Rooney is one of the most dangerous strikers in world. His positional play, eye for goal and awareness are exceptional attributes few players can match.

If there's a deficiency in his game, aside from the 'emotional time bomb' claims, it's his frustration at failing to receive service.

He invariably moves into unfamiliar territory in search of the ball and gets involved in rucks with his own players.

Those close to him claim a growing sense of responsibility and imminent fatherhood have brought about a positive change in his character.

Sadly, you were left to question those claims as Rooney's dark side showed up again last night.
The physical tactics the Kazakhs employed to shackle him were evident. But it was also clear Rooney's frustrations at his own team-mates were close to boiling point.
In the first half, with the game goalless, his arms came up in annoyance as he saw less and less of the ball.
Eventually, he tracked back deep inside his own half to pick it up and unleashed a volley of abuse at his own players.

Despite England's two-goal half-time lead, he trudged down the tunnel, mumbling to himself with his head hung low.

Rooney's mood continued to deteriorate further after the interval, as he drifted out of the game for long spells.
But that was all to change in a moment of magic when he made it 3-0 with an acrobatic volley. The dark clouds were lifted as Rooney celebrated his eighth international goal in his last six outings - a phenomenal run.
The happy Rooney tune didn't last long and he was soon ranting and raving again.

But as one England fan said at the end: "Roo can kick off all day as far as I'm concerned, but if he scores and England win, who gives a damn?"




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Wayne Rooney: England can win 2010 World Cup

 

Wayne Rooney last night admitted he has started to dream of winning the World Cup.

He was among the scorers as Kazakhstan were thumped 4-0 on Saturday to give England six wins out of six in the qualifiers and move them to within touching distance of South Africa.

With Andorra up next at Wembley on Wednesday, Rooney said: "Of course I think about the World Cup. It's the biggest tournament in the world and we're one step closer."

Victory in Almaty took to 20 England's Group Six goals tally and leaves Fabio Capello's men two wins away from guaranteeing a place at next year's finals.

England are now fourth favourites behind Brazil, Argentina and Spain and Rooney said the belief in the squad that they can be world champions was growing, particularly with so many scoring options available.
"If we win on Wednesday it will be a massive step and then there are the qualifiers in September and October and we can get there," said the Manchester United striker.

"You love to play in a big tournament. The two I've played in ended in big disappointments. Hopefully we can qualify and win something with this team.

"Four different scorers against Kazakhstan - me, Gareth Barry, Emile Heskey and Frank Lampard - was good for the team. There are a lot of players who can score for us."

World Cup Qualifier: David Beckham leads England vs Andorra

World Cup Qualifier - David Beckham leads England vs. Andorra: Team England with David Beckham will face Andorra tonight at Wembley Stadium in London in a World Cup Qualifier, hoping to record their seventh straight win in World Cup qualifying Group Six and edge the team closer to next years World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

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David Beckham reaffirms commitment to MLS

Roll out the red carpet, Major League Soccer. David Beckham is done with AC Milan (for now), training with the English national team for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Andorra, then a four-week vacation, and then he will mosey on back to Los Angeles to grace the Galaxy with his GQ looks and bending free kicks.

He plans to resume training with the team July 11 and play his first game of the season July 16 at the New York Red Bulls. He will stick around for a while, but likely will head back to Europe for an England friendly Aug. 12 against red-hot Netherlands (more on them later) in Amsterdam, and will be gone again for World Cup qualifiers at home against Croatia on Sept. 9, at Ukraine on Oct. 10 and at home Oct. 14 against Belarus.

He has stressed that at this point in his career, his top priority is the national team. He also hopes to return to AC Milan next winter. He played 17 matches for the Italian club on his extended loan, getting two goals and five assists. But Beckham insists he remains committed to the Galaxy and MLS.

''People have questioned me and questioned my commitment to MLS, to the Galaxy, to soccer in America,'' Beckham told MLSnet.com last week. ``I've always said that I'm committed to one, being an ambassador for MLS and soccer in America because I still believe in 10, 15 years this level will lift to a level where it can compete with some of the big teams in Europe. And, obviously, I'm committed to the Galaxy.

``I said that to the players before I left and I said that to the manager [ Bruce Arena] before I left. This is not me running away from soccer in America. I'm fully committed to going back to MLS putting in performances like I know I can, being fully fit and working hard for the team. I still believe we've got very good players on our team and I still believe we should be reaching the playoffs. Hopefully, that will happen this year.''

The Galaxy is in fifth place in the Western Conference, 12 points behind first-place Chivas USA. Despite reports to the contrary, Beckham said he always intended to return to Los Angeles.

''I always said that I would be going back to finish the season with the Galaxy,'' Beckham told The Times of London. ``I never expected to stay for six months. When I first made the decision, it was always for three months. But then, obviously, being given the chance to play until the end of the season was good.''

But his main focus now is on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

''I think what drives me hard is just playing for England,'' he said. `Obviously, I'd love to win something with my country, but just being involved in every game that I play in, whether it be a friendly or a qualifier, I love playing for my country.''

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