A great responsibility
Today’s news that John Terry has been dropped as England Captain has led to the whole of England debating his successor. There are several players that are a shoe-in to the first XI and now Fabio Capello will need to think very hard as to who the next leader will be.
This decision is crucial, not only to the England set-up but to a nation watching very closely. With the World Cup just four months away, a new man would need to spend time in the armband earning the respect of his players. Is there even time for that? More importantly, the selection of any candidate has to allow England to put the sordid, embarrassing and disrespectful John Terry saga firmly in the rearview mirror.
The England captain has many responsibilities off the pitch; not only will he be seen as a leader for English football abroad, but he’ll be a role model for the nation’s kids and therefore, he must be trustworthy enough to not shame the badge like John Terry has.
Is there anyone worthy?
Having to really think hard about Terry’s replacement tells you all you need to know about the modern English footballer. In the past there were many players in the England set up who would be easy candidates for the role of captain, and previous selections oozed moral fiber, charisma, decency, respect and leadership qualities. Where is today’s Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Stuart Pearce, Bryan Robson, Terry Butcher, Martin Peters and Bobby Moore?
Of course, one could argue that when those stoic leaders had their day, any deplorable behavior or secret could be and frequently was swept under the carpet and away from prying eyes. Technology has changed the way news is gathered and reported, not to mention the way the modern footballer is seen. Shame they can’t adapt and evolve too! Handheld cameras, web-enabled phones and CCTV allow anyone to capture Steven Gerrard punching a guy over a Phil Collins song, Ashley Cole speeding, Rooney hiding in the kitchen of a nightclub and John Terry leaving Wayne Bridge’s house. [Ed. Note: If we include webcams, we can unfortunately see Ashley Young and Pato exposing themselves for anyone they meet in chat rooms.]
But surely it is not just technology that’s to blame. Footballers these days have far too much money and have placed themselves in an untouchable category of their own. Many have become the sports equivalent of Hollywood movie stars.
As I look at the England squad I am really struggling to find a player worthy of the England armband and that really is a shocking state of affairs.
Gerrard? Lampard? Rio? Rooney? Where is the role model?
Beckham: A Decent Captain.
You can look to England’s captain before Terry as one who ticked all the boxes. In today’s football world, David Beckham appears to have been an excellent captain. When was the last time he was caught cheating with his mate’s woman? Or behaving badly while drunk in a bar?
He, more so than anyone in modern football, has media attention wherever he goes, yet without the scandals. Kids looked up to him and his off the field persona was admirable, while his charity work and image in the public-eye was unchallenged. Beckham is no brain surgeon but managed to behave himself and act the part required by the standards set by previous great captains and that should be a given when you are handed a role as symbolic and important to a country as that of England captain.
While Rooney could make a great captain in a few years, if he behaves himself — he is too young at the moment — and as I look at the rest of the regulars in Capello’s England team, I see not one man who deserves the privilege and respect that comes with being captain and that truly makes me sad.
I say no-one should get it. Pick the captain on a game-by-game basis based on performance and behavior. Having a captain off the field comes with huge responsibility and not one of the current crop is capable of such greatness.
I’m worthy. Very clean marital status, and quite useful on the ball.
Look in your heart, Don Fabio. There is one man that can do it. A selfless, tireless worker who will play anywhere. He’s even got leadership cheekbones, for God’s sake!
I’m not sure if the stumbling block for Gerrard would be his injury/form this year, or punching out that guy. But he was the vice behind Terry, so he would basically have to get skipped. Nobody can doubt his leadership or performance in big games, but still, I wouldn’t be upset if it went to Lampard instead. Rooney or Rio though, f**k that.
Methinks Beckham would be a solid choice, but is he even first team? Lampard, like Georger said? But his personal life isn’t that pure, either. Not Gerrard, based simply on his performances (or, rather, lack thereof) this season. Ferdinand? But he’s too much of a t**t. Ashley Cole? But he’s too c**ty. Thus, as Keith puts it, it must be Captain Cheekbones.
Whoa whoa whoa. You’re going to knock Gerrard for his performances but not Rio who is clearly past it and Beckham who has spent the last three years playing in leagues for has beens and never weres?
Sounds like it is going to be Rio per BBC quoting Capello:
“When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain (Rio Ferdinand) and also named a third choice. There is no reason to change this decision.”
F**k you’re right Gerrard was vice under McClaren.
Rio shouldn’t be starting in SA. Here’s hoping this submarines the team. Hamsik is going to rape that central defense.
I thought me questioning Beckham as a first-team choice made clear his performances aren’t near to par to be Captain. And I called Rio a t**t, which implies his performances are t**tty as well.
@ebullientfatalist beckham is no longer first team so he’s out.
@Keith Milner not gyaranteed a spot so he’s out.
@Georger McClaren was the worst England manager in history along with the turnip. No choice that man made has any credibility.
Scott Carson for the armband!
Can’t England just nationalize Giggsy?
This is a great post. It has me thinking about every England player and why they can’t hack it as Captain.
Aaron Lennon you’re our new Captain! Is what I would be saying if you weren’t three inches too short! Next!
What a mess. A well-established #1 keeper would be easy to fall back on. Too bad England doesn’t have one of those either…
Maybe they could go the Italian route and give it to the starter with the most caps?
Orr that would be Cashley or Stevie, they’re on 77 each, Rio and Lampard both have 66.
@Orr: Theo Walcott?
*76, not 66
It really is just a PR move and so is of little consequence who gets it, once the game starts John Terry will be acting the part on the field just the same
Assuming David James wins the #1 keeper spot, would he be too bad a choice?
@Georger – I mean those must be two of the options anyway and it gives Capello an objective reason for the selection
agree w/ Ryan; give it to the starting keeper, problem is Capello isn’t sure who that will be and he needs to make the call now
Meh. As has been stated above, Rio’s the best choice in a poor bunch. I would have given it to Rooney anyway, as he seems to have greatly matured (on the pitch, anyway) these last few years, and the armband will be his by Euro 2012 or WC 2014, barring him pulling … a John Terry.
Off topic but related to the GK discussion, Ned (or others) what three does England take with them? For me it’s
James
Hart
Kirkland
I think Ned’s gone on record saying he likes Rob Green as England Keeper.
Kirkland? He hasn’t played with England in like four years has he?
@ Georger:
Crap, forgot about Green. Swap him for Kirkland then on my list.
I mean I guess the third choice one doesn’t matter really, unless they get arrested for all the murders that couldn’t be mad to stick to Steve Sax.
Hart, James, Green
In that order
Besides, Georger and Sam C., given that Kirkland has to wear a hat any time it’s sunny out, he would combust if he made the trip to SA.
“The boy Rooney”
-Special One’d
@Ryan
Yeah, I’m a little bias as Greeno (see) was Norwich keeper for years and came through our youth system but he is better than the rest to me, and reaching his peak.
@Keith Strong words to direct at a man who’s shut out your lot in the last 2 fixtures.
As a fellow pale bastard, I felt obligated to point that out. Also, damn you, Ryan!
Pato as well?! You can add Banega there too.
The more the English worry about a captain the better gor the USMNT… RIO is brilliant choice… or maybe herrard or rooney….just keep talking about it rather than than getting prepared.