Forward thinking

16 November 2004
Sven-Goran Eriksson Press Conference

 
The England skipper made it clear on Monday that he had no intention of quitting the international scene and insists he has set his heart on reaching 100 caps.

And the England coach admits he sees no reason why Beckham would even consider retiring at this stage of his career.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly against Spain Eriksson said: "I can’t see any reason why he shouldn’t go on playing.

"I saw something in the paper during the week saying he will stop playing after the World Cup but I never heard anything about that.

"I can’t believe that because he loves his football and why stop playing for England when you are captain and when you are successful."

Tomorrow’s friendly sees Beckham and Michael Owen take on some of their Real Madrid teammates in the Bernabeu - their home stadium.

And Eriksson believes it would be a big boost to both players if they could return to club football on the back of an international victory.

Eriksson added: "It’s special for them to be at home and on Thursday to walk into the dressing room with a victory would be very nice for them. I think they will like that.

"This is Spain v England and there is a lot of prestige so everyone will give one hundred percent."

Eriksson insists he will play a strong team in Madrid and made it clear that Chelsea’s John Terry will start the match.

But Eriksson refused to be drawn on whether he will play Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe in a three-man attack again.

"We will make some changes but we will play a strong team," Eriksson said.

"Jermain Defoe, Owen and Wayne Rooney all scored at the weekend and we have played with them a couple of times - but I said after that game we will not always use that system.

"Maybe I will look at playing Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge from the start. It was very good when they played together and fantastic to see because you didn’t know who was left back and who was left midfield."