Eriksson welcomes Beckham penalty decision
Sven-Goran Eriksson has saluted David Beckham in offering to step down as penalty-taker for the sake of England’s World Cup qualification hopes.
Skipper Beckham, who has failed to convert any of his last three spot-kicks for his country, is willing to hand over the duties to Frank Lampard although this has still to be confirmed.
The Real Madrid star approached Eriksson several months ago about the possibility of standing aide after failing from 12 yards against Turkey, in 2003, and France and host nation Portugal during Euro 2004 – the latter in the quarter-final shoot-out.
Beckham is conscious of not having taken a penalty for 16 months since that miss on an emotional night in Lisbon and would be happy for Lampard to be given the responsibility.
Eriksson, whose side face Austria at Old Trafford today, admitted: “The topic of penalties is something that David Beckham took up with me two or three months ago.
“He said: ‘Do you think I should still take the penalties or is it better than Frank takes them?’ The reason for that is that he has not taken one since Euro 2004 against Portugal.
“It was very sensible of David to come to me and say: ‘Maybe the penalties should go to Frank’. He was convinced that Frank should take them and, if we had had a penalty there and then, Frank would have taken it.
“I am quite sure about that. Frank takes them for Chelsea on a regular basis and when you do that it gives you cofidence.”
Eriksson admitted: “I was a bit surprised when he came to me and talked about the penalties but it showed that he wants the best solution for England and for the team.
“I don’t know if David and Frank have talked about it. It is not something we have discussed so far during this meet-up but I am going to discuss it with the players before we go out today.”
Eriksson believes Beckham and company are mindful of the fact that the 2006 finals in Germany represent a golden chance for England to achieve glory despite their poor start to the current campaign.
He said: “I should not be surprised if that is in David’s mind but it is in the mind of a lot of the players. The move made by Michael Owen is partly because it is World Cup year. He wants to play more football.
“I am quite sure Beckham, Owen and all the players know this is a golden opportunity for them. Even if we have not showed it this season, the team and the squad is very strong.”
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