Chelsea's Terry: Beckham can have England captaincy

Chelsea captain John Terry says he'd have no problem handing Real Madrid's David Beckham the England captaincy for his 100th international.
Beckham won his 94th cap in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal last summer but has had to wait 11 months to add to that tally after being overlooked by new England manager Steve McClaren.

Now he is back in the fold for the games with Brazil and Estonia and, if he stays involved, could reach the century mark in the return with the Estonians in the autumn.

Terry believes the former Manchester United player deserves his recall and has revealed the support he has received from Beckham since being made skipper by McClaren.

The Chelsea star said: "Becks fully deserves his recall. We've all been watching him. He has been in great form, supplying great crosses and his work-rate is fantastic and it's really great to have him back.

"Maybe that has given belief to other people who have not really been involved since Steve McClaren took over, that there is a chance and there is maybe a new era and there are chances for everyone.

"Becks can give us great things and he will do that. It is great to have him back and we all feel that. We were having lunch and Becks walked in and I shook his hand and I said 'it's great to see you back'.

"I don't watch much Spanish football but since he's been back, he's made me want to watch Spanish football because of how well he has been playing.

"I would love to see Becks get his 100 caps for England. I know what that would mean to him. Would I give him the captaincy for the game if he got to 100 caps? Yes I would."

Terry added: "Do I feel intimidated by David Beckham? Not at all. Since I got the captaincy, I've had one phone call a week from Becks wishing me good luck and saying 'I'm always here if you need me'.

"That is big of him and I can't speak highly enough of him. He has been fantastic since I was given the captaincy. He has not pestered me but he has always said 'I'm here if you need me'.

"To have that from such a great man and such a great player is unbelievable. If things were going wrong, I would not hesitate to ask his advice."

Players focused on saving McClaren’s job, says Terry

LONDON: England captain John Terry said yesterday that he and his fellow international players will do everything they can to save under-fire boss Steve McClaren’s job.

Terry and Co play a tune-up friendly against Brazil tomorrow in the first international at the new Wembley.

But the Chelsea captain is focused on the match that counts in midweek.

Terry is pleased to have David Beckham - the player he replaced as skipper after the World Cup last summer – back in the squad.

“We are fully behind the manager and we are going to do our best to keep him in his job.

“Will there be a question mark over him if England lose? Possibly. But we are not thinking like that.

“We are thinking positively. We need to go there and get a win. It is as simple as that. We need to go there and perform.