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David Beckham taking inspiration from former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes

Former England captain has joined PSG until the end of the season

Pa
Thursday 07 February 2013 16:22 GMT
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David Beckham signs on for a shift with Paris Saint-Germain
David Beckham signs on for a shift with Paris Saint-Germain (Getty Images)

David Beckham has revealed he is taking inspiration from former Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes as he attempts to prove himself again at Paris St Germain.

Beckham stole the headlines on transfer deadline day when it was announced he would join the big-spending Parisians on a five-month deal.

There has been some questions raised, however, as to whether the 37-year-old's arrival is more a publicity stunt than a boost to the Ligue 1 leaders' on-field fortunes.

Beckham is determined to prove those doubters wrong and has cited the likes of Giggs and Scholes - who continue to play important roles with United - as proof he can make an impact on his return to European football after leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Asked if he can help PSG's push for domestic and Champions league success, he told French broadcaster beIN Sport: "Why not? I feel great, physically, I've always said, as long as I can continue to play the game at the highest level then I will continue to play.

"I never expected, when I was 30 years old, to still be getting the offers that I'm getting at 37 years old.

"Motivation never changes. I think once you have that motivation in you, it continues throughout your whole life.

"I look at players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, playing at Manchester United, still at the highest level - they don't play every game but when they do play they are big influences in the game, so I'm looking to do that.

"I'm looking to continue to be successful. And like I said, what keeps me going, I have four children at home, three boys and a little girl, so my energy comes from them."

Despite his optimism Beckham admitted he was not sure where he would fit into a star-studded PSG squad.

Under their Qatari owners the Parisians have assembled a squad that includes star names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Beckham is set to compete with the likes of rising Brazil star Lucas Moura and Javier Pastore for a place in midfield.

Beckham is not expecting any favours and - with his debut still likely to be a couple of weeks away - does not expect to go straight into the starting XI when he is fit.

"We'll see, I don't know (where he will play). I can either play in the middle or on the right," he said.

"Goalkeeping's not my biggest strength so I'll stay out of the way of that one. I don't expect to come in to this team and to be a starter in the teamsheet.

"I've never expected that wherever I have gone. I'll work hard for my place, I'll work hard to make the team successful."

Beckham has been training with Premier League side Arsenal in order to try and fast-track his fitness before he is due to meet up with his new team-mates in Paris next week.

"It's going to take me a couple of weeks at least to get up to speed with the rest of the team," he said,.

"But I think, I've always kept myself pretty fit. I needed time after last season to kind of recover, because after the Achilles injury that I had.

"It took a while for me to get going with that, but I have taken time off, I've trained with Arsenal a couple of days, and once I get in with the team I don't think it's going to take me long to be up to speed.

"I want to get playing as soon as possible to be honest."

PA

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