Same old Beckham, same old flaws as Galaxy star is honoured by Charlton

And the colour was soooo last season. But David Beckham beamed with pride as he collected his Golden Cap from Sir Bobby Charlton.

There is no doubting his sincerity when he translates his emotions into Estuary English and talks about it meaning everything to him to represent his country.

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Goldenballs gets a golden cap from Sir Bobby

Wembley Stadium, not even nearly full, stood to applaud the century of England appearances, a milestone he reached in France a couple of months ago.

Then off he trotted to the right wing and produced the sort of performance he has turned in for the last six years.

He gave the team width, balance and shape. He worked up and down in front of Wes Brown and supplied quality from almost every dead-ball situation he addressed.

There was one notable exception when a little piece of invention on the edge of the U.S.A. penalty area backfired but the old right boot still contains a bit of magic.

Only last weekend he was captivating his new audience on the other side of the Atlantic with a goal from deep inside his own half for LA Galaxy.

It made his long-range effort for Manchester United against Wimbledon all those years ago look like a Jimmy Greaves tap-in.

Out on America's west coast, it would be no great surprise if he had stumbled upon the secret of eternal youth.

Forever sunkissed, smiling and curling free-kicks on to the heads of central defenders.

But Goldenballs, the leader of England's Golden Generation, gave Fabio Capello's team the look of the Golden Oldies. Like the team who failed at the last World Cup, England looked most dangerous when Beckham stood over a set-piece.

If England were heading to Austria and Switzerland today, the same old issues would be nagging away. No great pace in the team, no natural left-sided player, no world-class centre forward who can coax the best from Wayne Rooney.

The best England have to offer is a thirtysomething with 101 caps who takes a decent free kick.

Perhaps the same thought dawned on Capello, a man reputedly immune to sentiment, and off came Beckham at half-time, replaced by David Bentley.

The silver lining of England's Euro 2008 failure is the chance to build a new team. And the process should begin now.

Beckham may have a role to play around the edges of the squad, an experienced voice in times of crisis.

There will surely be some. But that's all. Don't forget your new cap, Becks.