England coach Fabio Capello may need a new captain - who would it be?
Fabio Capello(credit:
ariesmale1978)
It was not long ago that England coach Fabio Capello was looking for a new captain. Now, on the eve of the World Cup, it appears he may have to find yet another skipper.
When John Terry’s alleged off-field indiscretions hit the front and back pages of the national newspapers, Capello had no choice but to strip the Chelsea defender of the captain's armband.
The Italian subsequently handed it to Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, believing the 31-year-old could be the man to hold aloft the Jules Rimet Trophy in Johannesburg on July 11.
Now, Ferdinand may not kick a ball at all at this summer’s World Cup after suffering a knee injury during the Three Lions’ very first training session on African soil.
While Rio’s condition is yet to be confirmed, Sky Sports are reporting that he has suffered knee ligament damage and that will leave Capello thinking about who can lead his team in South Africa.
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is an obvious choice having led the team before and being the regular skipper at Anfield.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard, almost certain to start next to Gerrard in the middle, is another candidate while Gareth Barry, despite playing a major role in qualifying, may be out of the running as he is expected to miss the opener against the United States.
Tottenham captain Ledley King could find himself thrust into the starting XI alongside Terry at the heart of the defence, and if Capello wants to keep his skipper at the back King could be the man with full-backs Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson probably not in the running.
Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch are expected to lead the line but Capello is likely to want his captain to be at the heart of the action.
Or could Terry make a spectacular return as England’s on-pitch general?