How good was David Beckham?

Beckham was a wonderful Manchester United player who had a decent spell abroad at the height of his fame.

All depends on the era which you grew up, I was very young when Robbo wore the shirt and not born when best had it, but for me he is my favourite ever number 7 with Cantona coming a close second, only because I am too young to remember his first arrival at United.
 
KeanoMagicHat said:
Scholes in his younger days was an exceptional final third player, he was a similar goal threat to De Bruyne and in understanding central midfield play. Yes you're right that De Bruyne had a lot more assists than Scholes. But Scholes and De Bruyne are better in tight spaces than Beckham ever was. Scholes was the best ever at looking after the ball when he moved to a primarily holding role from 2006 onwards, but it's not like he did it to that level for his whole career.
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Beckham was always better final third player than Scholes, just like KdB. Scholes timed his runs superbly and a goal threat but when it comes to creating chances it's Beckham.

Scholes was never like KdB when it comes to losing possession, younger and older days, he was always very good at that.

Scholes couldn't hit a dead ball, he didn't have crossing technique. Both Beckham and KdB are very good at both.

Like I said, apart from their hair color, there was no similarities in their game. KdB is much closer to Beckham stylish wise.
 
as a 13/14 year old(showing my age haha) i think Beckham was my favorite player after Eric retired, his crossing was top notch and could hit the ball so well scored some lovely goals...important ones too. Also for England mr dependable 99% of time...that freekick against Greece to qualify for world cup 02 man i was jumping around living room haha, i was gutted when he left, he performed well for a number of years not all players do after leaving utd. Dont get me wrong do rate Antony but id have have prime Becks over him in a heartbeat :)
 
I forgot to add that Becks made scoring from his own half popular, haha. That goal vs Wimbledon in 1996. Slurp. He totally meant it. Not some fluke goal. Many people watching it then were stunned. And you will probably expect such an effort from Cantona, not a young United lad coming through.

Before that goal, can't seem to recall any high profile player scoring from their own half. Ronaldinho's 2002 WC goal against England was good but was much further up the pitch.

How many players in history could have scored that type of goal like Becks.
 
I’d echo the sentiment being shown to David. I thought he was a brilliant player at his peak, full of energy and drive. I genuinely believe he loved United and probably still does and you could see it killed him when he had to leave.

As good as he was on the right and the 442 formation was a great success for the team I’ve always wondered what he would have been like tucked inside a little more. He played the role a few times for club and country but I’d have liked to have seen a central 3 of him, Scholes and Keane with Giggs further forward.

I’ll remember him also as a player that delivered in big situations, thinking 99 season end and vs Greece.
The trend of modern celebrity culture probably started from his image but can’t blame him for that!
Seriously though I think this sometimes affects how his career is viewed by some, but for me definitely a legend.
 
crossy1686 said:
Why would you play one of your most effective game winners in defence?
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Because that's what happens in the modern game. See players like Reece James, TAA, Robertson etc. Beckham wouldn't be a RW anymore.

Where would you play him if he was around today?
 
Anyone who thinks Beckham was just a set piece player with average ability must have seen someone else play.
Beckham’s fundamentals were so strong that he would fit into any team today - excellent first touch, composure, vision, passing, crossing, shooting, work rate, and then to top it off, insane dead ball delivery. Yes, he wouldn’t dribble like a Messi or Neymar but he could definitely beat a man when required. He had the skill to get past defenders and lay it on the plate for the attackers. He could easily play as part of a 3 man midfield and lead midfield scoring + assists stats. World class player in his prime and would be our best player if he played in this team.
 
Hughes35 said:
Because that's what happens in the modern game. See players like Reece James, TAA, Robertson etc. Beckham wouldn't be a RW anymore.

Where would you play him if he was around today?
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On the right hand side of a central midfield 3. He would operate in the half spaces rather than the touch line.
 
Hughes35 said:
Because that's what happens in the modern game. See players like Reece James, TAA, Robertson etc. Beckham wouldn't be a RW anymore.

Where would you play him if he was around today?
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Right wing? Where he was best?

Beckham played in an era where players like Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Maldini and Zanetti existed. It’s not like everyone around him was shit so he got to play further forward either.

Beckham was a match winner, there’s no advantage to playing someone who’s never shown any defensive ability, apart from tracking back, in a RB position because Trent plays there, and for what it’s worth, is fecking terrible there.

Beckham could create his own space, he could beat a man, he could cross and his set pieces were statistically deadly. Your best players should be at the top end of the pitch where they can make a difference, not pumping balls long from defence because one player does that for one team right now.
 
He got double figures in assists and goals lots of seasons.

He was great but in my memory his form dipped towards the end.
 
I liked Becks but as someone said, he wasn't even the best player in our (perfect) midfield. But he was a great player, great engine, if a bit too right footed. But what a right foot.
 
It’s funny when people claim Becks was overrated because of his celeb status.
As funny as Keane being a great leader but not so good a footballer who could only tackle or something.
And Scholes was not as good as the great Lampard and Gerrard or something.
I think only Giggs’ ability isn’t doubted, but he was injured half the time anyway, especially in the 90s.
You have to wonder how we won all the time with all those overrated players.
 
I just wonder, if Beckham was a footballer today, what position would he play? Nobody plays a 4-4-2 anymore. So would he be a centre midfielder, or possibly a right back?
 
Hughes35 said:
Because that's what happens in the modern game. See players like Reece James, TAA, Robertson etc. Beckham wouldn't be a RW anymore.

Where would you play him if he was around today?
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He never was a RW :lol:
He was a cm converted to a side midfielder / RM
He'd be a CM just like he was at Real. He'd never be a RB/RWB or whatever you want.
 
Like George best said: He cant shoot with his left foot, he cant dribble, tackle or head the ball very well. He doesn't score much. Apart from that he's alright.
 
SadlerMUFC said:
I just wonder, if Beckham was a footballer today, what position would he play? Nobody plays a 4-4-2 anymore. So would he be a centre midfielder, or possibly a right back?
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I think he'd be like KdB? A mezzala.
 
SadlerMUFC said:
I just wonder, if Beckham was a footballer today, what position would he play? Nobody plays a 4-4-2 anymore. So would he be a centre midfielder, or possibly a right back?
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He would be an even better version of Bruno (higher bottom level, better ball retention, even better in bigger games, all other stuff as good as Bruno).
 
I think he was a great player for his time. The game has changed so who knows how he would fare today. What I will say is I wish he had meet his wife 5 years later, because he was done as a footballer once he met her and became a celebrity first and footballer second.
 
Brilliant player - a natural central midfielder but Scholes and Keane were better in that position, nothing wrong there as they were better than most, so he ended up playing wide right midfield and the rest is history.

Became less effective as he became more of a celebrity than a footballer but can't be denied he was fantastic for us over a number of seasons.
 
united_99 said:
It’s funny when people claim Becks was overrated because of his celeb status.
As funny as Keane being a great leader but not so good a footballer who could only tackle or something.
And Scholes was not as good as the great Lampard and Gerrard or something.
I think only Giggs’ ability isn’t doubted, but he was injured half the time anyway, especially in the 90s.
You have to wonder how we won all the time with all those overrated players.
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It was one of the greatest midfields of all time. It had everything.
All were goalscorers aswell
 
Canuckred64 said:
I think he was a great player for his time. The game has changed so who knows how he would fare today. What I will say is I wish he had meet his wife 5 years later, because he was done as a footballer once he met her and became a celebrity first and footballer second.
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I mean do people think or make some calculations or research before writing stuff like this?

He met his wife in 96. When he was 21. Their first child was born just a couple of days after his amazing performance in the CL quarter final of the treble season. The birth alone was a huge media event and still he continued his performances and remained focused until literally the last minutes of that season (I mean literally as the two goals in the CL final came after he didn’t waste our corners unlike our non-celebrity players today). He then went on to win 3 more league titles with United and several more trophies abroad.
Just because he didn’t do a Scholes or Giggs and played at the highest level until 39/40 doesn’t mean he was done as a footballer at the age of 21 (as that’s when he met his wife).
If he hadn’t met his wife he may have stayed longer at United/in Manchester. But he wasn’t done as a footballer in 1996!
 
united_99 said:
I mean do people think or make some calculations or research before writing stuff like this?

He met his wife in 96. When he was 21. Their first child was born just a couple of days after his amazing performance in the CL quarter final of the treble season. The birth alone was a huge media event and still he continued his performances and remained focused until literally the last minutes of that season (I mean literally as the two goals in the CL final came after he didn’t waste our corners unlike our non-celebrity players today). He then went on to win 3 more league titles with United and several more trophies abroad.
Just because he didn’t do a Scholes or Giggs and played at the highest level until 39/40 doesn’t mean he was done as a footballer at the age of 21 (as that’s when he met his wife).
If he hadn’t met his wife he may have stayed longer at United/in Manchester. But he wasn’t done as a footballer in 1996!
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Still think she took years of his football career. He became more interested in becoming a brand than playing g football after they got married.
 
Canuckred64 said:
Still think she took years of his football career. He became more interested in becoming a brand than playing g football after they got married.
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I don’t think that and it’s also factually not correct.
But I am also not the type who thinks a footballer owes his club every minute of his life. People just have unreal expectations when it comes to Beckham.

He was already a matured and complete footballer in 99 when he was as old as Sancho today and 5 years younger than Bruno today (and was already a better player than them who had also already achieved so much more than them).

Bruno is as low key off the pitch as anyone could be and a very good player and professional and hard working. And still despite Becks’ celeb life he was already better at a younger age and maintained that status for a number of years. I don’t know what else people were expecting.

I also feel there are way other/bigger distractions than Becks had. He hardly went to parties, hardly drank (he may even not have drunk at all), was super fit and worked/trained hard.
Him being photographed for a few minutes or attending an event for a couple of hours (which then was shown and discussed in the media for days and weeks) could not have distracted him more from his profession as a footballer than players partying/drinking, having an unhealthy lifestyle, returning overweight for preseason, etc. Becks was extremely professional when it came to stuff like this. And that’s why I actually prefer the distractions he had to some other players’ rather unprofessional distractions.
 
After tonight, it's safe to say if Beckham was playing for this Man Utd team, he'd be the best player in it by light years.
 
After just a few seasons, Madrid weren't interested in renewing his contract. Beckham wanted to stay. He was left on the bench for Reyes in his final season.

United and Madrid both got rid of him. Why would they both want to offload one of the apparently greatest players ever?
 
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I think English players like Chris Waddle were at very least as good as him. However you will never hear about these players in a 'best ever' list. Why is that? It's certainly not down to ability on the pitch. Yet it rolls on on and on and on, the hype machine that never stops. He's going to single handily win England the World Cup next week, don't you know? Again!
 
Beckham was dropped by Capello for the season the former won his only league title with them. He clawed his way back to the first team and was one of the decisive players on the pitch. Capello, who was a tactician first and a man manager last, had to swallow his pride and grudgingly praise Beckham.
 
When people say how would a player get on if they were playing today I always think of 2 possible scenarios. Are they plucked from their decade and dumped into ours or are they their prime age now as in born say 25 years ago from now?
 
Bwuk said:
Agreed he'd be a CM today.

Midfield 3 of Keane, Scholes & Beckham.

Giggs would likely be a RW.
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Probably would be pushed into that role but I think that would be a waste. Giggs was always a creator more than a finisher, finishing was erratic and the left footed RW now is really just a wide striker. He could probably do it effectively, play on the last man, join the cut in and shoot spam but it is such a boring use of his skillset. His ball carrying ability from deep, the creative passing, his playmaking ability could be incredible if adapted earlier to a more central role. Press killer in there, over commit and 5 secs later he has gone from the edge of his own box to the edge of the opponent.
 
If I remember correctly Beckham did play at right wing-back for england a few times from 1996 - 1998

and was fantastic
 
Bobski said:
Probably would be pushed into that role but I think that would be a waste. Giggs was always a creator more than a finisher, finishing was erratic and the left footed RW now is really just a wide striker. He could probably do it effectively, play on the last man, join the cut in and shoot spam but it is such a boring use of his skillset. His ball carrying ability from deep, the creative passing, his playmaking ability could be incredible if adapted earlier to a more central role. Press killer in there, over commit and 5 secs later he has gone from the edge of his own box to the edge of the opponent.
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I always thought Sane when he was at City reminded me of a modern Giggs.
 
He was a better looking Ward Prowse.
 
It’s funny when people claim Becks was overrated because of his celeb status.
As funny as Keane being a great leader but not so good a footballer who could only tackle or something.
And Scholes was not as good as the great Lampard and Gerrard or something.
I think only Giggs’ ability isn’t doubted, but he was injured half the time anyway, especially in the 90s.


DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
SeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeOther[nb 2]Total
Manchester United1990–91First Division210000000021
1991–92First Division38430831010517
1992–93Premier League419222010–4611
1993–94Premier League3813718340105817
1994–95Premier League29171003210404
1995–96Premier League3311712020–4412
1996–97Premier League26330007210375
1997–98Premier League29820005110379
1998–99Premier League243621095104110
1999–2000Premier League306–0011130447
 
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