© EuroFootball.com
The head coach Frank Rijkaard stated that he does not agree with the decision of Real Madrid's main rival, strategist Fabio Capello, to no longer allow David Beckham on the field after the latter signed a contract this summer to move to Los Angeles Galaxy.
"Theoretically speaking, I would not remove a player from the team," F. Rijkaard was quoted by the Spanish sports newspaper "Sport" on Tuesday. "One must always consider the team's interests. Everyone wants to win, and even if a player has a contract, he can continue to work."
The coach from the Netherlands found himself in a similar situation last year when Barcelona forward Henrik Larsson signed a contract in the summer to move to his hometown team, Helsingborg.
Then the player continued to play for Barcelona until the end of the season, even playing a crucial role in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal.
This year, F. Rijkaard sometimes allows Javier Saviola on the field, even though the club has expressed a desire to sell the Argentine player.
As F. Capello decided not to allow D. Beckham on the field, and Ronaldo and Antonio Cassano, as well as Raul, Emerson, Guti, Roberto Carlos, and Marcelo, are injured, the Italian may have to invite a few reserve team players to play in the King's Cup match against Sevilla's Betis on Thursday.
