Getting Becks’ Number

‘WANT to know the real reason why David Beckham now wears No.23 on his back? The Guardian tells us that it’s because Posh told him to.

‘Come on, Day-vid, let’s try again – 20, 21, 22 and…’

Originally, the England captain had been offered the No.4 shirt of departing Real Madrid captain Fernando Hierro, and the now famous 23.

Neither David nor the club could reach a decision – until Mrs Beckham popped her skinny neck round the door and made her thoughts known.

And so it is that David Beckham now wears the No.23 in Spain.

Such a story does little to scotch rumours that Posh leads David by the nose. But in football rumour is part and parcel of the game.

Mindful of that, and in the interests of science, the Times produces the ‘Footski Index’, a graph showing how likely it is that Chelsea will buy the players they are rumoured to want.

Ranging from ‘You’ve lost your roubles’ to ‘Perestroika!’, the man most likely to be wearing Chelsea blue next season is… well, take a look at the list of hopefuls and make your guess.

The men wanted by the Roman Abramovich regime are: Thierry Henry, Joe Cole, Harry Kewell, Wayne Rooney, Ronaldinho, David Beckham and Scott Parker.

The winner is… yes, Scott Parker. You can already hear the fans at the Bridge let out long sigh at that one.

Another thing that might never actually happen is a London 2012 Olympic Games. The Independent leads its sports coverage with news of the London bid.

The paper hears Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, emerge from a meeting with Tony Blair, in which the pair discussed how London can win the day.

And the key concern is security. ‘If you look at what I’d say were essential elements in a bid, I would put security first,’ says Rogge.

This is, apparently, good news for London, which can call upon the services of Peter Ryan, an ex-Metropolitan Police officer who co-ordinated security at the Sydney and Salt Lake City Games.

Which is a fillip to the London bid, and bad news for anyone who wants to park near the stadium.

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Posted: 8th, July 2003 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink