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Fabio Capello named a 30-man England squad - his first for next week’s friendly against Switzerland but David Beckham, the media’s obsession, was a notable absence. Golden Balls has since returned to USA to begin pre-season training with LA Galaxy.

Beckham spoke earlier about the significance of the century cap: “To play for my country is always special and because it’s my 100th game it is extra special. It would mean the world.”

To maintain his fitness, Beckham has been training with Arsenal, and incidentally, held a warm meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, but Capello remains unmoved by the charm offensive. He stuck to his guns that all players earn their stripes based on performances in competitive matches.

Beckham has not seen serious action since winning his 99th cap in the November defeat by Croatia, which also ended England’s Euro 2008 campaign. On the other hand, other contenders for the right winger role, Chelsea’s Shaun Wright-Phillips and Blackburn’s David Bentley, have been playing regularly and are in fine form for their clubs.

Despite the rejection, the door is still open for a stunning comeback. During Steve McClaren’s reign, Beckham’s career initially nosedived as his name was constantly excluded from the team sheet. However, his decision not to retire was vindicated as McClaren recalled him at a time when England floundered at the brink of elimination from Euro 2008.

Capello, despite his managerial abilities and the abundance of talents at Real Madrid, finds it hard to ignore Beckham too. He famously dropped and then reinstated Beckham in the last stretch of Real Madrid’s successful La Liga challenge last season.

“I had a thorny relationship with David at Madrid but he showed himself to be a great player and a great man,” Capello said. “I think Beckham, when he sets himself something, he will achieve it.

“I believe that Beckham is an important player for England and I will take him in serious consideration. However, there’s still a month to go.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, after watching Beckham intimately, has thrown his weight behind the man. He said: “We were all amazed how good he was. This guy deserves a lot of credit, every day he was first out, last in.”

“I believe England still needs Beckham because he can make decisions and his experience will be needed in the big games and that is why I am sure he will get his 100th cap. But Beckham’s mind is to get the 100th cap on performance and on merit, not on sentiment.”

Alex Ferguson, Beckham’s former mentor at Manchester United, however believes Capello has made the right call to drop Beckham. He said: “Beckham is not match fit. That is the reason he’s not picked.”

Apparently, some of their old wounds have not healed and to see the Old Trafford discard training with his arch rival and then receiving a vote of confidence from them must have been grating on Fergie’s ears.

Besides Beckham, Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has also been left out, as have veteran defender Sol Campbell, Everton utility man Phil Neville and Spurs striker Jermain Defoe.

Robinson’s football career is in a crisis at the moment and if he doesn’t resurrect it soon, he could be on his way out to the lower leagues. When an opportunity to move to another Premier League club arises, he should grab it, rather than to sit on the bench and wait for a miracle. Tottenham manager Juande Ramos has lost faith in his ability to stand between the posts, and Capello is not going to risk his first game in charge by fielding him either.

As for Sol Campbell, his age is a barrier and his international career is as good as over unless there is a total collapse of the defensive options available. Phil Neville has played a significant role in Everton’s lofty Premier League ranking this season but to squeeze into the England squad is difficult as Capello has more than enough cover in that position.

I do not understand why Defoe is displaced in favor of Michael Owen. Nevertheless, all is not lost if he rediscovers his scoring touch at Portsmouth under the guidance of his former manager Harry Redknapp. Staying on at Tottenham is futile as Ramos does not see him in the club’s long term plans. Defoe’s case will be further boosted if Owen continues to be short on confidence in front of goal and a regular in the treatment room.

Another interesting aspect is the inclusion of five players from Aston Villa, it bears testimony to the achievements of manager Martin O’Neil. With Defoe out of the way, Gabriel Agbonlahor is a natural choice but it was a daring move to call up uncapped Curtis Davies. The Villa defender is on loan from West Bromwich Albion but if Capello gives him a run-out against Switzerland and he shows promise, the loan may be made permanent this summer.

Agbonlahor has been a revelation this season and he is an exciting player both for his youth and his amazing scoring rate so far. But bear in mind his skills are still evolving and he is not the finished article yet. No longer are we seeing the average player from his loan spells at Watford and Sheffield Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson is currently on loan from Liverpool; one will have thought that the demoralizing memories of his mistakes in England’s 3-2 defeat by Croatia will have deterred any of his inclusion but Capello must have seen some positive qualities in him. How will Carson perform is uncertain, he may either enjoy a new lease of life or suffer irreparable damage to his self-confidence.

Gareth Barry is considered the most established of the Villa’s players. By allowing him to settle in the central midfield, O’Neil has really brought out his potential. Barry’s composure under immense stress and expectations, distribution and holding of the ball are above average and Capello is right in ensuring this gem does not slip away into oblivion.

Ashley Young is another raw diamond which has been polished into a brilliant star for the future. His presence in the Villa set-up cannot be underestimated. With improving statistics for crosses from the left flank, free-kicks and assists, Ashley has justified a large part of the £9.65m fee that O’Neill agreed with Watford.

The depressing thing is that once again, for all the beautiful football Arsenal exhibits, there are no players from their squad to contribute to England’s cause. Even if Manchester United and Chelsea are as guilty of buying the title, at least, they have 5 and 4 players on England duty respectively.

This is something which the Gunners have to consider to endear themselves to the rest of the England fans.

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