LA's Beckham globetrotting concerns

Updated 09.33 Fri Aug 24 2007
Keywords: Euro 2008, LA Galaxy, England, David Beckham, football, sport

Los Angeles Galaxy have raised concerns about David Beckham's globetrotting.

The 32-year-old played all 90 minutes of his new club's 3-0 Major League Soccer derby defeat at the hands of Chivas USA on America's west coast, just 30 hours after playing in England's 2-1 friendly defeat against Germany at Wembley.

"We want to make sure we get our money's worth and that he is healthy and both physically and mentally ready to go when he plays for the Galaxy. I'm not going to deny there comes a point when your body can't do it any more" - David Beckham

Beckham jetted into London for Steve McClaren's men's first international action of the season on Monday after playing for the Galaxy in New York.

And the MLS club's general manager Alexei Lalas has conceded that there will come a point when Beckham's body can no longer sustain his double life.

Lalas said: "We have a vested interest in this player and we have spent a tremendous amount of money to retain his services.

"We want to make sure we get our money's worth and that he is healthy and both physically and mentally ready to go when he plays for the Galaxy. I'm not going to deny there comes a point when your body can't do it any more."

Lalas has hinted too that Galaxy will not be afraid to try to stop Beckham burning himself out with avoidable air miles.

He added: "If at any point we felt it was detrimental to his health or ability to help our team we would take action."

Meanwhile, Chivas USA's Jesse Marsch has apologised to Beckham after his challenge incensed the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder.

However, Marsch claimed his high tackle from behind, which sparked a brawl, was retaliation for an earlier incident during the stormy local derby.

He said: "He had taken a piece of me before that. The tackle was harder than I would have liked it to have been and I apologised to him.

"I told him I respect what he's about. He was finished with me though but it doesn't really matter.

"We are on two different teams, it's not like we're hanging out in free time. It was competitive and that is the way it goes sometimes."

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