Even in the glittering hills of Hollywood, David Beckham is guaranteed to assume centre stage when he arrives on his American adventure in Los Angeles this evening and that is where he wants to stay. The former England captain has been told that he will play in central midfield for Los Angeles Galaxy, which could have implications for his international future on the right with England.
Beckham has long coveted a central position from which to display his passing but was rarely indulged at Manchester United or Real Madrid, with his most memorable outing in the middle coming in England’s embarrassing 1-0 defeat by Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in 2005. “I’ve loved playing that position whenever I’ve been given the chance,” Beckham said. “You’re more involved in the game, and that’s what I like to be.”
Beckham is charged with not only improving the Galaxy’s disappointing start to the season but also elevating the sport in the United States to a new level and is wisely playing down expectations. “I’m not silly enough to think I’m going to change the whole culture because it’s not going to happen, but I do have a belief that soccer can go to a different level,” he said. “I’d love to be a part of that. It’s about me being the ambassador for MLS. If I can make people more aware and make kids real-ise that you can go into higher levels and make a great living from playing soccer, that’s what I’m going over there to do. The expectations are the one thing I’m worried about because people probably do think they’re going to see me turn out and we’ll win our first game 10-0.”
Beckham is also well aware of the need to integrate quickly into the Galaxy dressing room, though that does not prevent him talking about his friendship with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. “I speak to Tom most days of the week, just chatting about work and the kids and Victoria and Katie,” he said. “He and Katie have their beliefs, and I totally respect that, but me and Victoria have also got our own.
“It’s important for me to get to know the players and also for Victoria to get to know the players’ wives and girlfriends. Hopefully it’s going to be more like it was at Manchester, where on Sundays we used to take our sons to one of the other players’ houses and have a barbecue. I’m hoping it’s going to be that sort of vibe because it would be great to have that again.” Beckham’s new teammates are looking forward to welcoming him into the dressing room, even if some of them are likely to feel the odd pang of envy.
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“It would be kind of a nice gesture if he came in and just splashed the locker room with cash for some of the younger guys,” Landon Donovan, a Galaxy striker, said. “It’ll be interesting to see how he integrates socially into the team. A lot of us hang out together, and when he’s invited, will he want to come out? Will he bring the kids? Will he bring Victoria? We’re fun to be around.”