Wayne Rooney should replace John Terry as England Captain
John Terry’s recent indiscretions have rocked the football world once again. Details of his affair with the ex girlfriend of England team mate and long time friend Wayne Bridge have provoked calls for his resignation from the role of England captain.
While some ex Chelsea stars like Jason Cundy and idiots like Darren Gough have defended him, most neutral pundits and journalists seem to be in agreement that Fabio Capello should strip Terry of the captain’s armband. Of course if he had any sense of decency he’d have resigned as captain when the stories broke. The man has no shame, but that’s another debate entirely.
Today we’re talking about his potential replacements. The only alternatives touted at the time Terry was appointed were Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard.
Rio is no stranger to controversy, after being handed an eight month ban for missing a drugs test in the 2004/2005 season. It’s hardly in the John Terry catalogue of shame, but it’s a dark spot nonetheless.
Gerrard is no saint either. In December 2008 he was arrested for assaulting a nightclub DJ for refusing to play a Phil Collins song. CCTV coverage showed Gerrard attack the man without provocation, but a jury somehow found him not guilty.
If Terry does indeed lose the captaincy, neither Ferdinand or Gerrard are being tipped to replace him. Instead, striker Wayne Rooney is at the top of many people’s lists to lead England to the World Cup in South Africa.
In recent seasons he has sacrificed himself for the Manchester United team, at times performing a thankless task out on the left wing for European away games, allowing Ronaldo to hog all of the limelight. But since the Portugueser moved to Real Madrid in the Summer Rooney has finally stepped out of his shadow.
Whilst not always playing well in the early months of the season, he became a clinical goal poacher to make up for it. As the season has gone on he has added all of the other elements to his game that make him such a joy to watch. He has developed into the complete striker, capable of dropping deep and playing the creative role we’re used to seeing him in, as well as getting himself in the box at the right time to spearhead United’s attacks.
England boss Capello had spoken of his desire to see Rooney play in a more advanced role and it looks like the absence of Ronaldo has forced Sir Alex Ferguson‘s hand, allowing Rooney to grow into one of the best strikers in the world on current form.
His leadership skills are there for all to see. He leads by example with his hard work and dedication, and has the quality to inspire those around him.
He is not squeaky clean either, it has to be said. But after getting married and becoming a father he seems to have done something that John Terry will never do. Wayne Rooney has grown up.
He is the best person to take over from John Terry, should the Chelsea defender resign in disgrace or be stripped of the captaincy in even more disgrace.
Many will say England would lose a great leader. I say they’ll be gaining a superstar who will thrive under the pressure of leading England to glory.
February 2nd, 2010
i completely agree that John Terry is a shamless dog of a man, but looking at his family they are complete disgraces, his mum steals from shops and his old man sorts out drug deals and unofficial chelsea stadium tours from the back door.
having an affair is a terrible act, but the fact that it was with his team mate who trusted him and played for him is unforgivable…..if he was a real man he would have put his hand up and gone face to face with Wayne Bridge….but no, he hides like a scared rabbit
my opinion is he should be lucky to make the plane to south africa let alone lead the team, he is a spinelss heartless shamless jellyfish who deserves everything he gets…..not that chelsea will do anything about it
Rooney is the man to captain the english, because Terry is a heartless overpaid DOG.
February 12th, 2010
Everyone can list the offences of Ferdinand and Terry and they can be as biased as you want depending on whether you are a Utd or Chelsea fan or neither. The reality is that Gerrard was always the choice of the majority of fans. He should be captain and Rooney should be vice in preparation as future captain. They are the only two world class players in the England squad. They should be the first two names on the team sheet and should play in their best positions and not be continually shafted to fit in less talented players. They are also good mates off the pitch and will work together well. If the FA concentrated on football and not fitting their Cockney wide boys in all the time England may have a chance in the WC. Football interests are not a priority for the suits in London.