John Terry or Steven Gerrard, both would be great captains but Steve McLaren has this to say about Terry:
“John has all the attributes an international captain needs: leadership, authority, courage, ability, tactical awareness and a total refusal to accept second-best. He has been an inspiration for Chelsea and is at his best in adversity.”
I think John Terry will make a fine captain and should see England live upto its potential. He has a team that has a mix of veterans and some wide eyed youngsters. On defence he can count on veterans Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville to steady the ship. He has Steven Gerrard who will be the driving force behind the attack. England’s attack is its weakest link. It has gone through too many line up changes through injury and indecisiveness. Steve McLaren has to figure that out. It is a young attack. Wayne Rooney has great speed and is a great runner between defenders. Peter Crouch is good in the air but don’t expect him to get the ball from the midfield. Aaron Lennon is the complete package. Joe Cole and Ashley Cole on the left and Gary Neville and Aaron Lennon on the right. I wish McLaren would repose some faith in Darren Bent, he was the best thing for Charlton Athletic and he was also the top scorer in the Premiership this year. However Bent joins Theo Walcott and Nigel Reo Coker, in the U-21 squad.
The first XI looks like this (Wayne Rooney has been suspended for two games. Joe Cole has an ankle injury that will see him sidelined for at least two weeks or so, Michael Carrick is also out with an injury)
Paul Robinson- Ashley Cole- John Terry (Captain)- Rio Ferdinand- Gary Neville- Joe Cole- Frank Lampard- Steven Gerrard- Aaron Lennon- Wayne Rooney- Peter Crouch.
Ledley King and Michael Owen are out with fairly serious injuries. King should be back next month, with Owen expected back later, maybe in a couple of months. I can see King in the first XI but not Michael Owen.