David Beckham has named a team of players he believes have made the biggest impact at this World Cup, and has included only one Englishman.
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole is the only member of the Three Lions squad to have made Beckham's cut, after Fabio Capello's squad crashed out to Germany in the second round.
Beckham was with the squad as part of the backroom team, but it is predominantly Germans and Spaniards who caught the LA Galaxy midfielder's eye.
"I also enjoyed watching Portugal's Fabio Coentrao, but Ashley for me is the best left-back in the world and probably England's star performer in South Africa," Beckham told The Sun.
"He never stops running and, while he is a very good defender, he loves to attack opposing full-backs."
Another Premier League defender makes it into Beckham's back four in the shape of Sunderland centre-half John Mensah, a star of Ghana's march to the quarter-finals.
"The Ghana captain was very solid as they progressed through the tournament and were unlucky in their quarter-final with Uruguay," Beckham explained.
"The rugged defender, on loan at Sunderland last season, leads by example and is not afraid to put his body on the line for his team."
Beckham also hailed the displays of his former Manchester United team-mate Diego Forlan, in many people's eyes the striker of the tournament so far.
"A striker who has got better and better over the years," said Beckham of the Uruguayan.
"I was lucky to play with Diego at Manchester United and we could all see what a talented player he was. Now he has supreme confidence.
"With four goals and several assists, he's had a great tournament."
Forlan has been partnered in attack in Beckham's team with David Villa, the former England captain having been highly impressed by the striker's all-round attacking talent.
"With five goals taking him joint top of the scoring charts so far, he has proven he is one of the world's best finishers," he added.
"He can play off either foot and is devastating in front of goal. It's frightening that he is joining what is already a great Barcelona team."
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole is the only member of the Three Lions squad to have made Beckham's cut, after Fabio Capello's squad crashed out to Germany in the second round.
Beckham was with the squad as part of the backroom team, but it is predominantly Germans and Spaniards who caught the LA Galaxy midfielder's eye.
"I also enjoyed watching Portugal's Fabio Coentrao, but Ashley for me is the best left-back in the world and probably England's star performer in South Africa," Beckham told The Sun.
"He never stops running and, while he is a very good defender, he loves to attack opposing full-backs."
Another Premier League defender makes it into Beckham's back four in the shape of Sunderland centre-half John Mensah, a star of Ghana's march to the quarter-finals.
"The Ghana captain was very solid as they progressed through the tournament and were unlucky in their quarter-final with Uruguay," Beckham explained.
"The rugged defender, on loan at Sunderland last season, leads by example and is not afraid to put his body on the line for his team."
Beckham also hailed the displays of his former Manchester United team-mate Diego Forlan, in many people's eyes the striker of the tournament so far.
"A striker who has got better and better over the years," said Beckham of the Uruguayan.
"I was lucky to play with Diego at Manchester United and we could all see what a talented player he was. Now he has supreme confidence.
"With four goals and several assists, he's had a great tournament."
Forlan has been partnered in attack in Beckham's team with David Villa, the former England captain having been highly impressed by the striker's all-round attacking talent.
"With five goals taking him joint top of the scoring charts so far, he has proven he is one of the world's best finishers," he added.
"He can play off either foot and is devastating in front of goal. It's frightening that he is joining what is already a great Barcelona team."
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