Beckham denies move has England motives

Oct 26, 2008 - 7:04 PM By Simon Lewis PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CARSON, California (Ticker) - David Beckham has denied his motivation for a loan move to AC Milan in the new year is purely about boosting his prospects for England call-ups.

Beckham is in talks over a two-month deal to train and play with the Italian club during the Los Angeles Galaxy's offseason, but the move has raised questions about the level of his commitment to the American club and to Major League Soccer, with whom he signed a five-year contract in 2007.

Beckham, 33, was set to play for the Galaxy against FC Dallas in Sunday's last game of the MLS season, his side having failed to reach the league playoffs, and he insisted a lengthy period of inactivity before the 2009 campaign was his main incentive for seeking a loan move rather than trying to impress England manager Fabio Capello.

"To be honest, it's more about me not having so much time off," Beckham said. "I'm not thinking about the England situation, what I'm thinking about is the fact that my body's been programmed for the last 20 years to have three and a half weeks off during the summer during the off season.

"I wasn't happy having the amount of time off that I had last year so I joined Arsenal for a month and a half and now this year I've been given the chance to hopefully join up with Milan and train with them and hopefully play with them. So that's my plan, it's more about me keeping myself fit and then joining back up with the Galaxy for the MLS season."

Beckham said the deal with Milan had still not been completed.

"I've been given the chance to go to Milan, on loan, for a few months, and I'm honored. I will be hopefully doing that, it's not finalized yet," Beckham said. "Talks are still happening with Milan. I've not personally spoken to anyone from Milan yet, a few people are doing that, but like I said, it's not finalized yet.

"I'm hopefully looking forward to it."

The England midfielder said he was looking forward to playing with Milan and alongside players such as Brazilian stars Kaka and Ronaldinho.

"Obviously, that's a huge bonus," Beckham said. "I've been lucky to play with one of the biggest clubs in England and the world, in my eyes, at Manchester United and the same at Real Madrid and now to be given the chance to play with one of the biggest clubs, I think the biggest club in Italy, you know, I'm honored.

"There are so many great players there and you can learn from the experience of training with them, playing with them, hopefully. I'm not going there thinking I'm going straight into the team but if I get the chance to play there it's going to be an incredible experience for myself."

Beckham also praised the Italian club for their set-up and training methods, which he said have helped extend the careers of veterans such as Paolo Maldini.

"When it was first mentioned about going to Milan, I thought their training facilities are second to none, I know their work ethic; you know, they wouldn't have a player like Maldini and Cafu there for so many years and at the ages they are and still playing top-flight football if they didn't have an incredible training regime.

"So I wanted to go somewhere like that, that gave me the chance to go there and stay as fit as possible and play great football, so hopefully I'm going to do that."

He denied, however, that his representatives were in talks with other clubs should the Milan move fall through.

"With respect to Milan, talks are ongoing and I'm not talking to anybody else but I'm 95 percent sure it will happen, but it's not official yet."