Once again the world is obsessed with David Beckham’s feet. It’s like 2002 and the broken metatarsal all over again. Will his ankle heal in time for Galaxy’s game against Chelsea this evening? Of course it won’t. Will they politely beg him to play for ten minutes or so anyway? Of course they will, because ESPN has sent a small army of production people to the Home Depot Center and MLS have marketed this game to the point everyone seems to think Beckham only joined the Galaxy for this one, ultimately meaningless, friendly. And for the Posh Spice TV special of course. Beckham’s half time interview at the MLS All Star game summed it up perfectly. “At the moment it doesn’t look good that I’m going to play. I’m here for five years, not just for the game on Saturday.” Undeterred, Rob Stone’s follow up question showed the stubbornness and determination of ESPN. “Tell me about your desire to play in this game though…” he asked, as if Becks could will his swollen ankle to magically shrink to normal size just because ESPN had brought 19 cameras. Latest new is that he will play, limping about for between 10 and 30 minutes at the end of the game so the whole evening isn’t a complete bust for all involved. MLS and Galaxy suits will just have to hope he’s not involved in a 50/50 with someone like Michael Essien.
