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Weekend Football
20-22 March 2008
by Jerrad Peters

Fabio Capello breathed new life into David Beckham’s international career, Friday, by naming the 32-year-old to his 30-man provisional squad ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against France in Paris. If Beckham figures in the starting lineup, it will mark his 100th appearance over a 12-year career in international football.

Hoping to earn his very first cap will be David Wheater. The 21-year-old Middlesbrough defender has been a stalwart at The Riverside this season. And since the departure of Jonathan Woodgate to Tottenham in January, he has been manager Gareth Southgate’s most dependable centre-half. He shows good composure on the ball and is especially mobile for someone of his stature. At 6-foot-5, he is the tallest defender in the team.

In making his selections, Capello also offered special mention to both Michael Owen and Joe Cole. Owen, he said, “looked sharp, very alive, and it was good to see him scoring.”

Of Cole, the Italian remarked that the 26-year-old had been “excellent” against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. The 26-year-old, currently playing on the right flank at Chelsea, has scored four goals in March and is among the form players in the Premier League.

Theo Walcott was also recalled to the squad while Micah Richards and Curtis Davies were omitted due to injury. Michael Carrick, Nicky Shorey, Ledley King, and Emile Heskey were overlooked.

Manchester City are the latest club to express an interest in Diego. The Werder Bremen midfielder has suddenly become the hottest commodity in Europe; and each of Chelsea, Juventus, and Real Madrid have also been making overtures of late.

Of course, they may have to kill Jurgen Born in order to secure the 23-year-old’s signature. The Bremen president, in speaking to Spanish radio station Onda Cero, stated that, “If someone wants to buy Diego, they will have to kill me first. Diego will only leave Werder over my dead body.”

Still, everyone has a price; and, whether they admit it or not, Bremen have already evaluated the Brazilian maestro. With an offer approaching 25M-pounds, they could certainly be convinced to part with him. Convincing Diego to come to Manchester City is is another matter entirely. With the likes of Chelsea and Madrid in the mix, Eastlands would hardly be the player’s first choice.

Chelsea are an interesting possibility – if for no other reason than the uncertainty surrounding Frank Lampard’s future. Madrid, however, remain the likeliest option. Diego came through the ranks with Robinho at Santos; and the two have remained very close in the time since.

“My friend Robinho has told me that Real Madrid are a huge club,” remarked Diego earlier in the week. “I know Real coach Bernd Schuster speaks very highly of me. When someone wants to open negotiations over me, we will see what happens.”

Klas-Jaan Huntelaar is another top talent who will be expected to make a switch in the summer. The 24-year-old striker has been on blistering for with Ajax this season and is widely held as one of the continent’s most potent attacking threats. With 27-goals in 27-matches, he has carried a very average squad to within touching distance of a first Eredivisie title since 2004.

Chelsea appear the likeliest destination. Henk ten Cate, assistant coach to Avram Grant, could be a major drawing card for Huntelaar. From 2006 until this past autumn, the 53-year-old was manager of Ajax. Chelsea’s technical director, Frank Arnesen, is also an admirer of the Holland international. And, more often than not, Arnesen is given cart-blanche to sign whomever he wants. He will probably have to dole out around 22M-pounds for Huntelaar.

Marseille were dumped out of the French Cup, Thursday, after losing 2-1 to Ligue 5 Carquefou. Papa Idrissa N’Doye scored the only goal for the amateurs after just seven minutes. They will now join the likes of Lyon and Bordeaux in Sunday’s quarterfinal draw.

“What’s happening to us is just extraordinary,” exclaimed Carquefou captain Sebastien Le Pain in an interview with Eurosport. “We gave it our guts, our hearts – everything!”

Carquefou, for the record, is located in the Loire-Atlantique Department and its club plays the equivalent of Conference football.

Bryan Robson has joined Manchester United on a one-year contract as club ambassador. Chief Executive David Gill made the announcement, yesterday, and noted that “Bryan Robson was the outstanding player of his generation,” while describing the former midfielder as “skilful, fearless, and totally committed.”

The 51-year-old’s managerial career was hardly as impressive, however. While he led Middlesbrough to the Division One title in 1995, he was replaced by Steve McLaren after leaving The Riverside through mutual consent in 2001. And after stints at Bradford City and West Bromwich Albion, he was essentially forced out of Sheffield United by a supporters’ backlash earlier this year.