Slimline Beckham not thinking of Shilton record

David Beckham revealed Thursday how big an impact his move to AC Milan has had on his fitness as he underlined his desire to play on for England for as long as possible.

Beckham will break Bobby Moore’s outfield record of 108 caps for his country if he plays any part in Saturday’s friendly against Slovakia and the midfielder increasingly looks a good bet to go on and match Peter Shilton’s overall record of 125 international appearance for England.

The 33-year-old is in no doubt that he made the right move by ensuring he was able to stay at Milan until the end of this season, at which point he will return to LA Galaxy for the rest of the MLS season.

“I think it’s improved my fitness more than anything else,” Beckham said Thursday.

“I said when I first arrived in Dubai with Milan my body fat was 13.7 and now it’s 8.5 so I think it was more about the fitness side than anything else. But I had to adjust my game to the Italian game as well.

“I had to do that when I moved to Spain (to play for Real Madrid) from Manchester United and I felt it was successful there and obviously in Milan I have enjoyed that part of it.”

Beckham insisted he was not thinking about Shilton’s mark.

“I think that every time that I meet up with the team it’s a bonus because being on probably 94, 95 caps I never expected to make 100. Making 100 people expected me to retire then, so to be on 108 now and hopefully get to 109, I’m happy with that.

“I am not looking at Peter Shilton’s record at all at the moment. I take each game as it comes as I know know quickly it can change.

“Obviously being at AC Milan now gives me more of a chance to be at that higher level to play at international level which is always important. But we’ll see. I’m enjoying being with the squad at the moment and hopefully it continues.”

Beckham went on to describe Fabio Capello’s current squad as one of the best he has been part of.

“It’s one of the best, without a doubt,” he said. “There are times in other squads when I’ve felt exactly the same.

“Playing under Glenn Hoddle was a great squad and obviously with Sven-Goran Eriksson we were successful in terms of qualifying.

“This squad’s different. It’s special because there are so many young, talented players.

“People talk about young players and sometimes say they haven’t got the experience but it doesn’t matter these days. Young players have got that confidence and they only gain experience playing big games.

“The best players – whether they’re young or experienced players – are the ones playing high-level football and the ones here do that week in, week out in the Premiership. The players we’ve got are exceptional talents.”

England’s meeting with Slovakia is a warm-up for next Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine, where a win would put Capello’s squad well on their way to South Africa.