Beckham hints at central role for England

England captain David Beckham has hinted he would like to take on the central midfield role he fills with Real Madrid at international level.

Beckham has developed into the central engine room of the Real side and believes it would be a good idea if England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson allowed him to do the same for his country.

“I’ve enjoyed playing in the middle for Madrid and I hope to stay there,” said Beckham, who is rapidly adapting to life in Spain.

The former Manchester United star suffered defeat against Valencia last night and witnessed first-hand the differences in attitude between the English and the Spanish game as Valencia midfielder Carlos Marchena went to ground after minimal contact with Beckham.

“That happens a lot in all football and I’ve enjoyed my first five league games,” Beckham said.

“It’s been a great experience and I hope to carry on with this team and with these great players. I don’t like losing and I hope things will work out better,” he said.

“It’s always disappointing to lose and to lose like we did in this game; it was an important game but it’s early in the season.

“Football is like that – you have good and bad days. Yesterday was a bad day, there wasn’t much wrong tactically but we didn’t perform and we know we can do better than that,” he said.

Beckham also explained his visit to a Madrid nightclub after last week’s game against Malaga – which has received huge coverage in the press – was simply a way of winding down after the game.

“I always sleep poorly after any game because I’m so hyped up,” he said.

“Last night [after the Valencia match] I didn’t sleep until six o’clock.”