Who should succeed John Terry as England captain?

 

Over the last week John Terry has been exposed as a liar and a cheater after revelations about his personal life by the British press. His exposure has left the Chelsea skippers England captaincy and international career in jeopardy. Terry’s affair with England team mate Wayne Bridges former girlfriend has come at a terrible time for Fabio Capello with the World Cup in South Africa looming and expectations for England sky high, the England manager has a big decision to make. Do you stick by the captain you appointed regardless of his personal life? We look at the potential candidates to Terry’s armband should Capello decide to make the change.

  

Frank Lampard
Probably Terry’s closest allie in the England camp. Lampard is rumoured to be among the England players who would feel uncomfortable at the idea of replacing John Terry as England captain. The Chelsea star currently has 76 England caps and has time and again proved his worth to the England team contributing 20 goals from midfield. A more than decent injury record means he is an almost guaranteed starter for the World Cup. Lampard is a popular member amongst the squad and often leads from example on and of the pitch. A possible stumbling block for Capello giving the captaincy to Lampard could be that Frank is not a married. Although Lampard has a near squeaky clean record, Capello would hate to give the captaincy to someone who could very well end up on the back pages the following week.

 

  

Steven Gerrard
Another player rumoured to feel uncomfortable at the idea of picking up the armband from John Terry. Steven Gerrard would probably be the fans choice as his successor, the dynamic midfielder is the heart and soul of the Liverpool team for which he captains and his leadership skills have been ever present throughout the years at Anfield. Gerrard ran Terry close for the captaincy after David Beckham decided to step down but was named as vice-captain by Steve McClaren. Gerrards recent of field excursions may however place some doubt in Capellos mind about appointing him. In the summer Gerrard was involved in a club fight which saw the England star brought to court. Although the midfielder was found not guilty he spent many days on the front page of the tabloids a feat I’m sure Mr Capello is well and truly tired of. Gerrard has not been on form this season, suffering numerous niggling injuries and scoring only six goals.

 

Rio Ferdinand
Ferdinand is a highly experienced and respected man in world football. The Manchester United defender has captained his club and country on numerous occasions. He is undoutbly a winner, winning a great deal of medals in his career. His know how and experience would add backbone to the England camp in uncomfortable situations. Ferdinand was very unlucky to be beaten to the captaincy by John Terry and in turn Capello named him vice captain. The natural order would see Ferdinand replace John Terry as captain. However Ferdinand has been on poor form. Chronic injury problems have seen the defender on the sidelines for the majority of the season. He is no longer certain of a starting birth at United which would cast doubt over a starting place in the England squad.

David Beckham
Fabio Capello’s golden boy. Beckham and Capello have a great relationship having known each other for many years. It would be a highly unlikely and controversial move to reappoint the man who tearfully resigned as captain after England were knocked out of the World Cup in Germany. Beckham could be used as potential stop gap to steady the ship having previously done it before. He has great PR credentials and a strong likability factor. (Arguably qualities that Terry lacks) Beckham is currently on loan from LA Galaxy at AC Milan, a move he went for to secure his place in the England team, a place that still hangs in the balance. He is the most caped England outfield player in history but a starting place at this summer’s world cup is unlikely. This leaves Beckham as the strong outsider should Terry be replaced as captain.

 

Wayne Rooney    
The young talismanic forward is in the form of his life. He is scoring goals for fun for United and is the Premier Leagues top scorer. All this in a season where the pressure was firmly on him to deliver for United after the departure of Ronaldo, and boy has he delivered. England go into the World Cup with most of our hopes pinned on Rooney. He has a great passion and commitment for the team which is always evident when he is on the pitch. He has now developed into the world class talent that may predicted for him all those years back and off the field he has grown up considerable as well, recently married to his child hood sweet heart and becoming a father for the first time. In another sense it would be harsh to burden the young striker with such a role, especially as it could take away from his all action game a risk I’m not sure Capello would be willing to take. Don’t be surprised however to see Rooney in the captains armband at some point in the future.