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Terry

David Beckham had barely got up from the table and hobbled down the podium steps before the odds on his successor started being feverishly quoted.

  • The Telegraph Group Limited
  • Published: 00:00 July 5, 2006
  • Gulf News

London: David Beckham had barely got up from the table and hobbled down the podium steps before the odds on his successor started being feverishly quoted.

The bookmakers all agreed. John Terry was favourite to become England's new captain, closely followed by Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville.

In fairness, it wasn't difficult to understand the thinking. At 25 with 29 caps to his name, Terry should now be entering the prime of his career.

Strong, experienced, mature and with enough energy in the tank to lead from the front, he does represent the outstanding long-term candidate. That is partly because of where he plays. Many managers prefer a centre-half wearing the armband.

From that position, the player can see the whole picture facing up from the back while being close enough to the action to influence events.

You have got to be the right sort of character, of course. Steve McClaren, England's manager-in-waiting, didn't pick Gareth Southgate as his lieutenant at Middlesbrough simply because he played in central defence.

He picked him because of his leadership qualities, because everyone respected Southgate's achievements. Ditto Terry.

Having lifted the Premiership trophy for Chelsea twice in succession, having won the Players' Player of the Year award 12 months ago, Terry's credentials at club level are pretty flawless. He's popular too, which always helps.

Can a captain make any difference? You bet he can. But whoever gets the job, that is only the start.

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