I'd rather remember the Beckham of old

So David Beckham has been give the all-clear to pursue a loan move back to the English Premier League with Tottenham the likely beneficiary of the former England captain's services.

Becks, as we know, trained with Spurs as a schoolboy before signing with Manchester United and as a North London boy it would seem the natural fit for the LA Galaxy star if he was to return home. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is a known admirer of the former Real Madrid star, and recently stated that Beckham would be an inspiration to have around White Hart Lane.

It was telling, however, that the former Portsmouth boss didn't mention the player's impact on the park but rather what qualities he could pass onto the younger players as a role model.

That, in a nutshell, is what Beckham has become — an ambassador for the game. It's not a bad role to have, and no-one can argue the 35-year-old has been a true servant to English football over the years, keeping the national side in the spotlight when their antics on the field have proved far from inspirational. However, as a colleague of mine caustically remarked yesterday, the midfielder hasn't been a player for some time now.

Beckham more than anyone knew his days playing at the top level were numbered when he sought a move to America. It may have been wrapped up in all the hyperbole of spreading the game across new boundaries, but anyone who had watched the midfielder over his career knew his impact on games was waning.

It's been a steady decline, but one that is brought into stark contrast when remembering the highs he achieved, particularly his super-charged effort against Greece in the qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup.

There are few instances when one player has completely dominated a game but this was one, capped by his injury time free-kick that secured England's place in the finals that summer.

England fans couldn't get enough and the talk quickly turned to visions of Beckham lifting the coveted trophy in Japan and South Korea. Alas an injury robbed him of his fitness and the Three Lions miserably limped out of that tournament against Brazil.

Beckham, unfortunately, never hit the heights of the Greece game again. It was perhaps unreasonable to expect him too, given the extraordinary nature of the performance. Of course their were still highs along the way. He won La Liga with Real Madrid and fought his way back into the England side after being discarded by Steve McClaren. For that alone he will always be loved for England fans, but even his most ardent admirers by this point were struggling to see him as more than a bit-part player.

That a move back to the Premiership has provided so many column inches is a tribute to his ever-lasting popularity but has perhaps more to do with his iconic status than his footballing prowess. Do Tottenham need him when they have the fleet of foot Aaron Lennon occupying the right side? The simple answer is no.

The move would be a marketing coup and would no doubt shift a fair number of shirts emblazoned with the legend. There would also be some nostalgic value of seeing him once again grace a Premiership field.

But the truth is I'd rather remember the Beckham of old: the young Manchester United player who lit up the Premiership with his array of passing, and the one who for that brief 90 minutes against Greece became a Three Lions legend. Thanks for the memories David!