Becks praise for Shaun
Friday, 30 September, 2005
Three Lions skipper David Beckham believes Shaun Wright-Phillips has the ability to impress on the world stage.
David Beckham believes Chelsea summer signing Shaun Wright-Phillips deserves a place in the England team after his impressive form over the past year.
Wright-Phillips earned himself a move to Stamford Bridge on the back of stunning performances for Manchester City last season and offers Sven-Goran Eriksson an alternative to Beckham on the right of midfield.
Eriksson names his squad for the WorlD Cup Group Six qualifiers against Austria and Poland on Sunday and Wright-Phillips is almost certain to be included.
And England captain Beckham believes Wright-Phillips has what it takes to become a great player in the international arena.
"I respect Shaun so much, he's learned his trade at Manchester City and now he is playing on a huge stage after moving to Chelsea," said Beckham.
"He has the pressure of playing for the Premiership champions and I have always said that he deserves his chance in the England team, and when he has had his chance he has done well.
"Shaun is small but he has got bags of pace and great strength. In my opinion he is already a great player."
There has been some debate as to whether Beckham is more suited to a role on the right of midfield, where his crosses have caused mayhem for opposing defences for years, or in the centre.
After setting up Real Madrid's two goals in their victory over Olympiacos on Wednesday, the balance has swayed towards a right-hand berth, but Beckham is just happy to play: "Where I play is not the important thing."
"It is the manager who picks the team, despite it being said that I have a big influence in picking the squad or deciding where I play.
"With England there has been so much speculation about whether I play in the middle or on the right, or even whether I should be picked at all.
"The most important thing is for us to meet up and put the work in. The first game is a must win and then if we win the second then we top the group."
Sven names his squad for the two World Cup qualifiers here on TheFA.com on Sunday evening.