The big football news this week has been England manager Fabio Capello taking the captain’s armband from Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and giving it back to Chelsea star John Terry. As a former England captain himself who has had the armband taken away from him, ex-Arsenal defender Tony Adams is in a better position than most to comment on the subject. Here’s Adams talking about the captaincy issue and England’s chances…
How important is the captain on and off the pitch?
He’s the mouthpiece; he’s someone who puts the managers’ ideas onto the pitch. The relationship between the manager and the captain is so important for me. Me and George Graham, me and Terry Venables, me and Graham Taylor, me and Arsene Wenger, I always thought I was carrying that managers’ ideas, game plan, structure, discipline and professionalism onto the pitch so I think you have to set an example. It’s really, really important – it sets the tone.
Who in the current England squad has those qualities?
John Terry definitely has them, he’s a leader. He is for me of the right character. In that central defensive area you can get your message on to everybody. Also central midfield, I can understand why they make central midfielders and central defenders captains. My captain is a central defender. If you’re a right back and you’re playing on the other side of the pitch, you’ve got to shout to get a message over and that’s a bit difficult. I’d never put a forward as a captain, they’re a different breed. It would be a defender every time for me and John Terry has certainly got those qualities.
Do you think there is any chance of England challenging the likes of Spain next year (at Euro 2012)?
I think we’re hitting (the FIFA rankings) where we are supposed to, eighth best in the world. I think radical change needs to go on in the development (of English players). The National Football Centre is long overdue and we need six regional camps. We need to educate the educators for better quality coaching and improve the whole structure if we are ever going to compete with Spain. We’ve got the passion but we’re lacking in some other areas. I don’t see this current group of players challenging Spain.
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