Donovan’s words sum up Galaxy’s frustration over Beckham
CARSON, Calif. – David Beckham broke his silence on his likely loan move to AC Milan at the Home Depot Center on Saturday, but the most revealing words actually came from his Los Angeles Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan.
Beckham addressed the assembled media in predictable fashion, spelling out how his desire to switch temporarily to Serie A was motivated simply by a desire to stay sharp during the long MLS offseason.
The 33-year-old midfielder is a long way removed from the shy young man who blustered his way through interviews early in his career – and he makes his point well. However, all his slick talking and positive spin can not disguise the fact that his actions have caused disruption to the Galaxy and will continue to do so.
Before Beckham was surrounded by journalists and camera crews, Donovan spoke briefly to a small collection of local journalists and gave an indication of the level of frustration with Beckham that exists in the L.A. locker room.
When I asked him if the timing of Beckham's announcement was unfortunate and could have been handled better, Donovan replied: "Candidly, yes."
"It doesn't make it much better or much worse," Donovan added, "but it would have been nice to have waited."
Donovan himself is leaving it until after the Galaxy's final game of the season on Sunday to address his own future in Los Angeles.
Beckham's excitement at spending two months in Serie A is understandable. Yet the way he has shown little regard for how he is affecting his employers and teammates reflects poorly upon his character.
As for his argument that playing for up to 11 straight months – two in Italy followed by the 2009 MLS season – will be no problem as he is accustomed to having little rest between seasons, he needs to remember he is heading towards the twilight of his career and does not have the same sap in his legs as he once did.
