I don't know what to think of Beckham. It appears his Spanish stay will be over after one season as Real Madrid appears to be ready to trade him to Chelsea this summer. Now anyone who leaves Man U. and Real Madrid in about 12 months goes up a notch in my books as the first is run by a boot throwing nutter and the second was run by and continues to benefit from or at least ride the reputation created by its patronage by Franco's team stacking fascists.

But both teams have the same one point - his Beckness seems to worry as much about his image as his game. I don't know how the diamond ear-rings and ever shifting fashion hair would bolster any locker room mood. To his credit, most of you reading this never watch a soccer game yet know who I am writing about. Chelsea may be the fit - flashy millionaires team run by a flashy billionaire. Another club to get to sell 100,000 jerseys with the special seven letters on the back.

Has there ever been an athlete who has achieved the obvious goal of image over performace?