This Is England

England has significant injury concerns ahead of its big friendly with Germany on Wednesday at Wembley, and it has little to do with David Beckham. Meantime, former England manager Bobby Robson questions in this BBC report whether Becks's decision to play in MLS will impact his international form.

"The longer he plays in America, with respect to the football being played there, the less competitive he will become. It is not the greatest level of football. He will lose the match sharpness he needs to play at the top level with England."

I hear what Robson is saying, but frankly I think it's hogwash. Beckham is not a 19-year-old prospect who requires a nurturing and competitive environment to improve his quality and elevate his game. Is MLS the Premiership? No, of course not. But it's not the Malaysian league either. In MLS, Beckham will stay fit, play regularly without concern of being benched (except for injury) and encounter some quality football.

What do you think? Will Beckham's international readiness suffer because of his club environment? Will England supporters notice a significant drop in quality when Becks returns from America for friendlies and qualifiers?