Beckham is complete all-rounder: Eriksson

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson says David Beckham has become the complete modern footballer and is a worthy captain of the national side.

Beckham was given the captaincy last November by caretaker coach Peter Taylor, a decision that left some critics wondering whether the Manchester United midfielder was up to the job.

But Beckham has blossomed with the extra responsibility, guiding the side to key victories over Germany and Albania that have transformed England from also-rans to runaway favourites in their race to automatic qualification for the 2002 World Cup.

Eriksson, whose team need to beat Greece at United's Old Trafford ground on October 6 to secure a place in the finals, said he was proud of Beckham's performances over the past week.

"But he's an outstanding player," he said. "Hard-working. When people think about Beckham, it's the right foot. But it's not only that, he's a complete footballer, he can defend."

Asked if he thought Beckham was becoming an even better player, Eriksson replied: "It's difficult for me to say that. But I think every time we come together he's becoming a more complete player, can do everything, and every time can take more responsibility."

As for what makes Beckham such a prized all-rounder, Eriksson pointed to a series of qualities, starting with the most basic -- ball control.

FIRST TOUCH

"His first touch of the ball is excellent," said the Swede. "It doesn't matter where the ball comes -- up, down, or forward. And when you have such a good first touch, second touch you're ready to play it, shoot or whatever.

"That's a great, great skill in football, and especially in modern football when you never have space or time.

"Then, he can run a lot. He's physically very, very strong, and getting even better every week I see him, and he can take a good position in defending."

It took vision to see Beckham, who was famously sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup finals, as captain of his country and Eriksson believes he is in debt to the Leicester City manager who gave him the armband against Italy in Turin.

"Peter Taylor, I think we should say thank you very much to him. By that, he started to cultivate the young team and then, of course, it was easy for me to come and try to go on in the same line," Eriksson said.

And he summed up: "Beckham is a good football player and a good captain...he behaves like a captain."

The England manager was also complimentary about Beckham's United team mate Andy Cole, who has watched England's last two qualifiers from the bench after struggling to find a regular slot at club level.

Michael Owen and Emile Heskey have been Eriksson's first-choice strikers, as they have been for Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier, at the expense of Robbie Fowler.

But Fowler, whose cause at Liverpool was not helped by a spat with assistant coach Phil Thompson last month, came on as a second-half substitute and scored England's liberating second goal with a superb solo effort in the 2-0 win against Albania.

Eriksson sees both Cole and Fowler as vital to the England cause, particularly when they play more regularly at club level.

EXCELLENT PLAYERS

"Fowler and Andy Cole are both excellent football players," he said. "They are not the same type of player but are excellent. And of course I know that Heskey and Owen, for example, have played many more games and we are just at the beginning of the season, so they should be in better shape at this moment.

"But it doesn't mean that Fowler and Cole are out of the team, absolutely not. We need them."

Stressing that form, rather than personal preferences, was the key to his team selection as the match against Greece approaches, Eriksson said: "My job is to try to select those in the best form at that moment. I don't have them during the week so I have to go and see games and see who's in good shape."