Much of the back pages of newspapers over the last week have been dominated by David Beckham and his likely destination when his contract with Los Angeles Galaxy ends in November but does it really matter?
Now into his 18th year as a player how many clubs actually want David Beckham – the footballer? Only the very desperate clubs like Queen’s Park Rangers would actually use his footballing ability, which has very obviously deteriorated over the last few years.
Brand Beckham is what has to name just a few Paris Saint Germain, Lazio and Sporting Lisbon fighting for his signature.
Don’t get me wrong, Beckham can cross a ball as good as any right midfielder in the world. His eye for a pass is simply outstanding and he has showed that in flashes during his time at LA Galaxy, but it has to be his off-the-field abilities that we all have become more interested in since his move to Major League Soccer.
When he signed the $250 million contract in 2007, almost everyone could be forgiven for thinking about the monetary benefits this contract would bring to the Galaxy. Not often talked about across the world, the Galaxy were thrust into the spotlight and just about every sports store in England now stocks their shirts with Beckham the name sprawled across the back.
This is exactly the impact the club owners would have wanted to help put them on the map internationally. Very quickly, the Galaticos of Madrid arrived to play against them in friendlies. The fans were less convinced once the confetti had settled and after a number of poor performances they were questioning Beckham’s role within the club and labelled him a ‘trophy’ more than an asset.
When PSG announced their desire to bring Beckham to Paris, many were aware of their ulterior motives. The Qatar Investment Authority will have been made fully aware of the Beckham Brand and just how that can have an effect on shirt sales as well as other merchandise profits.
Ultimately of course, it is David Beckham who will make the choice.
He could still stay at LA Galaxy though I doubt that will happen as Beckham still retains an ambition of playing in the Olympics and to do that he will need to play in London. QPR seem the most likely suitor though their chief Amit Bhatia expressed doubts “‘Beckham would choose to come to us as a newly-promoted side”. For playing purposes QPR seem the likely destination though given that Shaun Wright-Phillips has flourished at Loftus Road, its hard to see how Beckham would feature.
Perhaps, the lure of a new city and one more lucrative paycheck will entice Beckham.
Photo courtesy of Perunotas TV.
