For many fans, England v Switzerland was supposed to be all about watching David Beckham collect his 100th cap, although Fabio Capello has refused to let sentiment get in the way. Sky Sports now report that the LA Galaxy midfielder was not massively surprised to be left out of the squad by the man who managed him at Real Madrid, especially with his lack of first-team action.
“It’s always disappointing when you’re not included in an England squad,” Beckham told Sky Sports News
“The thing is I half expected it because I know what Fabio Capello is like as a manager and if he thinks you’re not fit and ready to play then you won’t be in the team.
“I totally respect that and totally understand that. There are a lot of Premiership players who have played 15 games in the last two months and I haven’t played a game since December – so to be called into the squad was probably unfair.”
Indeed, if the Italian had selected the former England captain, it would have been a decision based on past form and Capello has made it clear that every player has a clean slate this time around. It will be nice to see an England team picked with no automatic selections on the team-sheet.