Though only just about to reach the peak of his career, Beckham unusually finds himself as one of the senior players in Taylor's team to face Italy on Wednesday night.
"But I can give different things to the team."

Beckham has also been given the chance to operate in his favoured position of central midfield by Taylor and the player himself believes this will help him carry out his duties as a captain.

"I'm pleased I'm playing in the centre as a captain because it'll give me more of a chance to speak to the players and keep the team going."

Beckham will also be reassured by the presence of Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt alongside him in the engine room of the team. The pair know each other's games inside out and Beckham is looking forward to renewing their partnership against European Championship finalists Italy.

"I have played with Nicky Butt throughout my career so it helps," said Beckham of his club-mate who was given a rare first-team start following the withdrawal of Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Though clearly proud and honoured to captain his country, Beckham is still mindful of the fact that his team will face one of the sternest tests world football has to offer when they step out to face Italy at the Stadio Delle Alpi on Wednesday night.

"We couldn't have had a  harder game than this" accepted the Leytonstone-born midfielder. As he admitted today, his progress sometimes surprises even Beckham himself:

"Two years ago if someone had turned round and said 'in two years time you'll be England captain', I'd have said 'I don't think so,'" he said in an unusually self-contemplative admission.

Beckham, though, is not one to glory too much in his own achievements. His natural instinct is to push on and look for the next challenge and he has already identified both the collective and individual goals that he will be seeking to realize on Wednesday night.

"We want to impress Sven-Goran Eriksson and I want to keep the captain's armband," said Beckham - a man who, so far at least, has tended to get what he wants.