David Beckham: From Hero to Zero

Portugal & Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo was present today with UEFA president Robert McLaren Saville to preside over the Champions League group stage draws.

All eyes will be on Bayern Munich throughout the European season. Last year's Champions League winners are, in the eyes of many, currently the best football club in the world and are tipped to win it again this year.

However, the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid will be hungry for Champions League success, and could prove to be two big challenges of Bayern's Champions League campaign. Real won their last Champions League in 2013, while Barca won their last one in 2011. Since then, the English clubs have dominated the European scene, as well as Bayern, in recent times.

The German giants were given an unexpectedly easy draw that they'll undoubtedly be coming out of safely.


The first to be drawn in Group F, Bayern eagerly awaited the draw of the rest of their group opponents.

Sampdoria made the second draw for Group F, and coincidentally, the Serie A side was also drawn in the same group with Bayern last season.

Bayern have bad memories with the Blucerchiati, having been crushed 5-0 by Sampdoria in one of the group matches the previous year, although they did recover quickly from the devastating loss.

Sampdoria finished 2nd for the second time in a row in last year's Serie A and boast a strong squad that includes former Bayern superstars Thomas Muller, Mateo Musacchio and Holger Badstuber.

Aside from them, they also have Mexican playmaker Erick Torres and Ron-Robert Zieler within their ranks, the latter being well-known in Italy for his consistency between the sticks.

An upset against Bayern Munich could always happen again and Bayern will have to look out for Sampdoria's star-studded team.


Next up is Celtic, who have dominated the Scottish Premier League for years.

Although considered an outsider for making the Knockout Rounds, Celtic are a force on their day and anyone can easily see that the Bhoys are way above their league's standard.

Bayern manager David Beckham will be very familiar with some of the club's star names, which include Yuto Nagatomo, Gabby Agbonlahor, Matthew Lowton and Jan Oblak, all of whom have been under Beckham's management when they plied their trades at Aston Villa.

The most dangerous man to watch in a Celtic kit will be no doubt be former Chelsea forward Stevan Jovetic and English striker Harry Kane, both of whom linked up with the club this summer. Together, they have already formed a solid partnership, that will be made unbeatable, at least in the Scottish league, as time progresses.


The last to be drawn is Nottingham Forest.

It has been a remarkable journey for the club, with Forest only having been promoted from the Championship in 2016. They finished 12th in their return to the big time, and 13th the next season, before pulling off a magnificent 2nd-placed finish to be welcomed back into the Champions League.

Led under the management of Chris Powell, who has done wonders with his job, Nottingham Forest will be the first to play Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season and although aren't considered impressive enough to beat either Bayern or Sampdoria to a qualifying spot, can still put up quite a fight.

The club's two leaders, captain Lee Wallace and vice-captain Chris Cohen, will make sure of that. Together, Wallace and Cohen have a combined total of 23 years spent at Forest as well as 826 league appearances for the Reds. Although now 33-year-old veterans, they are still ready to make a stand, and were vital players last season.

And the duo aren't the only star men of the team. Nottingham Forest also have former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney, signed on a free transfer this season, and young Englishman Colin Maddison, who is, rather coincidentally, considered to be the next Rooney.


Together, the four make quite an interesting group, and it will be very entertaining to see which two will make it out to the Knockout Rounds.

Wow! A very retro Champions League group there! Very 80's

Nottingham Forest back in the champions league, , Great update mate and a nice touch putting Ronaldo in there.

Fantastic Update Mate! I would say easy draw but for all I know in 2020 Notts Forest and Celtic could be world beaters! This story is my inspiration for every story I do! I hope my Roma one can even get a tenth of the success this one has achieved!

Paddy: Indeed

TSO: cheers

Nath: Aren't really world beaters tbh They just have four or five stars in their team! Still have no idea how Notts Forest finished 2nd with the quality of their squad though.

Forest in the champions league, celtic having jovetic and another 5-0 defeat coming against sampdoria? not for bayern anyway, this group looks easy enough to win, no offence to forest or celtic.

2013-07-22 15:22#121646 TheMS99 : Forest in the champions league, celtic having jovetic and another 5-0 defeat coming against sampdoria? not for bayern anyway, this group looks easy enough to win, no offence to forest or celtic.

Stevan Jovetic and Harry Kane! Never expected to see such a partnership even in a game did you

On just a side note could you tell me how well Arsenal are doing Glenn ?

2013-07-22 13:49#121708 Glenn T :

2013-07-22 15:22#121646 TheMS99 : Forest in the champions league, celtic having jovetic and another 5-0 defeat coming against sampdoria? not for bayern anyway, this group looks easy enough to win, no offence to forest or celtic.

Stevan Jovetic and Harry Kane! Never expected to see such a partnership even in a game did you

Maybe they are like Henry and Aliadiare. One good, and one crap. both strikers.

Woah, Forest in the Champions League They have returned from their crapness!

Wellsy: Arsenal have had mixed success in recent years but have been brilliant in the past few seasons. They won the Premier League in 2016/17 and 2019/20, with both titles being won under the management of current manager Mauricio Pocchettino. Currently, the captain of the club is Jack Wilshere and the vice-captain is Radja Nainggolan.

Other than Wilshere and Nainggolan, other star players include Raheem Sterling, David Alaba and Mario Gotze.

Louis: Yes they have

Woah Forest?? What have you done to the game?! haha thats insane! Who have they got in their squad? Except Rooney

2013-07-24 03:15#122197 k1rups : Woah Forest?? What have you done to the game?! haha thats insane! Who have they got in their squad? Except Rooney

Quality regens, including one England international, their captain and vice-captain who has been immense, but no other recognizable players. Of course, except Wazza.

Hey guys, David Beckham: From Hero to Zero has spectacularly been nominated for the July Story of the Month and I know what everyone's going to think:

"What the fuck? He's nominated again?"

Because I'm thinking exactly the same! I am extremely puzzled as I've not updated much this entire month but still, am grateful that the judges recognize the efforts I put into the updates I've done this past month, however little they've been.

So, if you want to vote for me, just hit the link up there!

Or don't. I ain't your daddy

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q173/Nordskov_dk/bild_zps5ae0bee8.jpg

Today, we have Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm with us here today as a guest writer.

Hello everyone. I am Philipp Lahm and it's a great pleasure to be able to feature as a guest writer for bild.de. I will be talking about none other than Bayern Munich today.

I've been seeing many fans online talking about our summer signings. Some have been delighted, some have been complaining, and I thought it would be interesting to share my opinions on the signings David has made. So, I present to you, Lahm Reviews.

Wilson Varela - Aston Villa, 15 million

Age: 17
Nationality: Portuguese
International Caps: 0
Under-21 Caps: 6

Wilson Varela will be an excellent addition to Bayern Munich's youth teams and in the future, an excellent player for the first team squad. Everyone is labeling him as the next Cristiano Ronaldo, but Wilson is still a teenager and I don't think anyone should make such comparisons like that at an early stage. But if he gets his head down and works hard enough, he will surely become a player equal of Ronaldo's caliber.

There is almost no doubt he will be a future star at Bayern, but still, I think it is ridiculous to spend 15 million on an untried youth.

Perhaps six or seven years later, someone is going to read this article, and ridicule me, because by then Wilson would have become a fantastic player.

But I'll stick to my views. 15 million for a 17-year-old is an absolute no-no.

Rating: 7/10

Isco - Malaga, Free Transfer

Age: 28
Nationality: Spanish
International Caps: 1
Under-21 Caps: 40

Isco has served Malaga well for the past decade, making over 300 appearances in a Malaga kit and propelling himself to the status of 'legend' within the club's fanbase.

By right, Isco should be a great addition to the team.

Unfortunately, I don't think so.

I think Isco is a wonderful player, but I just cannot see how he will fit in at Bayern Munich.

David usually plays with the 4-4-2 formation and this formation fails to accommodate Isco's natural position at attacking midfield. Isco can also play at central midfield, but at central midfield there is Toni Kroos, Thiago and Abdoulaye Sylla. Will Hughes can play at central midfield. So can Alex Chamberlain.

With all these world class players, how will Isco ever get a game? To be the captain of Malaga, to a frequent bench-warmer. I personally feel he will be out within a year or two.

Rating: 5/10

Filip Celekitic - Metalist, 9 million

Age: 23
Nationality: Serbian
International Caps: 21
Under-21 Caps: 19

Celekitic has been quite the journeyman. He's been in so many different clubs despite his young age, but I think the travel has been good for him because he has gone from nobody to a really good player.

I have watched him play for Metalist in the Ukrainian league and I was impressed. I'm delighted David has decided to sign him.

He will have to work very hard for a first team spot because there is going to be a lot of competition. It'll be quite a step up a notch for him but I believe he can do it and become an important first team member.

Rating: 8/10

Erwan Jehanno - Dortmund, 16.5 million

Age: 22
Nationality: French
International Caps: 2
Under-21 Caps: 35

Erwan Jehanno is going to be a superb addition to the team. I've read somewhere that a fan thinks Erwan is going to be useless because he'll be forced on the bench by Ademilson. No, I don't think so. My logic is, if you're a good player, no one can force you on the bench.

Besides, David uses a 4-4-2 formation and I can't see Erwan or Ademilson being benched. What I can see though, is a very formidable partnership that'll storm plenty of Bundesliga defenses.

It's certainly a controversial move for a player to move from their club to a rival club. But this simply shows that Erwan has ambition, and I think that is very good for a young player like himself.

I think this is going to turn out to be a fantastic move for both Erwan and Bayern Munich, and Erwan has made the right choice.

I'm prepared for all the classy insults the Dortmund fans are going to throw at me.

Rating: 10/10

Daniel Montero - Aston Villa, 34.5 million

Age: 23
Nationality: Uruguayan
International Caps: 42
Under-21 Caps: 23

A terrific signing! I think Daniel is one of the best defenders in Europe at the moment and to be able to have him here at Bayern Munich is brilliant. He has also worked with David at Aston Villa so this could help him to settle in quickly.

Some people have been gawking at the amount we paid for Daniel, but I think it's a bargain. In a few years time he is going to be worth more than just 34 million. He is still young, just 23, but he's already regarded as one of the continent's best. To get him playing for us at his peak is fantastic, because we'll be able to get plenty of years out of him.

I cannot help but applaud his international career so far. Aged just 23, and he already has 42 caps to his name. With Daniel in the team, Manuel will be keeping clean sheets every week.

As I've said, he is a terrific signing, and who knows? Maybe with all these new signings, we can pull off an Invincible season again!

Rating: 10/10