Blow to England’s World Cup Chances as Beckham Tears Achilles

David Beckham throughout his career has been known as the player with the Midas touch. He has enjoyed amazing success around the world and people watch in awe as everything he does turns to gold. He single-handedly sent the country into rapture and into the World Cup in 2002 with a last gasp trademark free-kick against Greece. His glittering club career culminating in a controversial move to L.A. Galaxy where he attempted to put Major League Soccer on the map in America was down to his huge popularity and interest in him as a footballer and, possibly even more so, as a person.

Unfortunately it looks like the twilight of his career will not be as idyllic as the rest of it. He has suffered a torn Achilles playing on loan for A.C. Milan, a move he was forced to make in order to be considered for selection in the World Cup squad. He is expected to be off his feet for a minimum of three months and then rehabilitation before he can play again likely to be another three months at least. At 35, there are questions whether this is the end of Beckham’s career. Whilst he has always proved people wrong before, the chances of him being selected for England after the World Cup are slim and England will begin a transition after the World Cup with many of the established first team players at the wrong end of 30. Playing for England was always the main motivation for Beckham and he may wonder whether it is worth it now that this is no longer a realistic possibility for him.

In regards to football betting, this marks yet another blow to the value of the England odds for winning the World Cup. Wayne Bridge has retired, Ashley Cole looks likely to be injured and therefore unavailable and now Beckham is unable to participate. Whilst his injury is a blow, the current odds at bwin.com of 6/1, third favourites behind Brazil and Spain will probably not change as his part on the pitch was likely to be small. Beckham would have been a massive presence in the dressing room but there are those that argue his presence is too big and England may be better off without him.

Whether you back England now depends on your opinions on this matter. Was Beckham a real lift to the team or a burden? I agree with those that say our World Cup betting odds would lengthen if an injury to Rooney, Lampard, Terry or Ferdinand occurred that ruled them out of the tournament, but undoubtedly the run-up to the World Cup in South Africa has not gone well so far in 2010.

You would not have believed it if you were told this time last year that Ashley Cole would suffer private life turmoil with a marriage break-up and also a serious injury. You would have been amazed this time last year if you read about the Terry/Bridge situation that would result in a change of Captain and that Beckham, perennially healthy and available, would suffer a bad injury. On a personal note for Beckham, after all the hard work he put in to be selected; to be told that Capello would have taken him to South Africa is of little consolation to him. Another frustrating thing for England fans is the other things, barring Ashley Cole’s injury, were all self-inflicted by the players.

In terms of betting on England, so far the chances of us winning the World Cup have not diminished too much. Another key injury would be fatal however, so keep your fingers crossed. There are plenty of good young players but I feel we are going to need a stand-out performance in the mould of Michael Owen in 1998 if we are to win. Hopefully that man is Wayne Rooney. Owen, incidentally, is also injured and out of contention but he looked as though he would miss out after an indifferent season for Man Utd.

Patriotism will ensure that there will be plenty of bets on England winning the World Cup. Realistic punters must be starting to worry a little now after a series of blows and further blows may make England unlikely to win the tournament. It was all going so well…

By Malcolm Clarke