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Goal.com Comment: Is Rio Ferdinand The Right England Captain?
The burning question...
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Feb 5, 2010 5:20:00 PM
By Ewan Macdonald
England manager Fabio Capello has named former vice-captain Rio Ferdinand as his new skipper for the World Cup following the exile in disgrace of John Terry.
Whether or not the Manchester United centre-back is destined for success with the armband remains to be seen. As we'll see, it could go either way...
FOR - A man of experience
Having a career transfer fee of £51 million, it goes without saying that Ferdinand is hot property at the highest level. Big-spending Leeds United cashed in when United came calling, and it's fair to say that the Mancunians have been repaid over the past eight years. Rio has lifted four Premier League trophies with United and also the Champions League; he's also featured in the last three Teams of the Year.
AGAINST - Showing his age
But while he was once a 40-game-a-season man, Ferdinand's experience has come at a cost. Recently he has been beset by injury, sitting out half of last season and almost all of the current one, leading some to conclude that he's a long-term crock. The man known for representing England at the last three World Cups could even be in danger of missing this one if he takes another knock.
FOR - Leads by voice
Ferdinand is nothing if not vocal, and organises the defence at club level without difficulty. At 31 he's something of an elder statesman at Old Trafford and should adjust to a new leadership role without difficulty.
AGAINST - Mr. Undroppable?
The question is, though, whether or not Rio merits a place in the team at all. This season injury and poor form has dogged the Peckham man to such an extent that his place in the England team may not normally even have been assured. Some fans are finding it hard to forgive a series of high-profile blunders that have cost England points over the past eighteen months - now that he holds the armband, though, it seems as though Rio will start despite them.
FOR - A respected squad member
Nonetheless Rio is a commanding figure in the England dressing room, having held the vice-captaincy since Terry inherited the armband from David Beckham in 2006. In early 2008 Ferdinand captained the Three Lions in Paris against France, and although the side lost 1-0 his was not a poor performance. He's likely, then, to be held in esteem by his teammates.
AGAINST - A history of problems
Yet that is not to say that Rio is perfect. In fact, like Terry, he has been in the limelight more than most players. Drunk driving, missing drug tests, and - at the moment - violent conduct suspensions have seen him in and out of the newspapers with regularity. On the other hand, though, he is a role model to youths back in his home area of Peckham, where he is involved in charitable concerns.
Whether or not the Manchester United centre-back is destined for success with the armband remains to be seen. As we'll see, it could go either way...
FOR - A man of experience
Having a career transfer fee of £51 million, it goes without saying that Ferdinand is hot property at the highest level. Big-spending Leeds United cashed in when United came calling, and it's fair to say that the Mancunians have been repaid over the past eight years. Rio has lifted four Premier League trophies with United and also the Champions League; he's also featured in the last three Teams of the Year.
AGAINST - Showing his age
But while he was once a 40-game-a-season man, Ferdinand's experience has come at a cost. Recently he has been beset by injury, sitting out half of last season and almost all of the current one, leading some to conclude that he's a long-term crock. The man known for representing England at the last three World Cups could even be in danger of missing this one if he takes another knock.
FOR - Leads by voice
Ferdinand is nothing if not vocal, and organises the defence at club level without difficulty. At 31 he's something of an elder statesman at Old Trafford and should adjust to a new leadership role without difficulty.
AGAINST - Mr. Undroppable?
The question is, though, whether or not Rio merits a place in the team at all. This season injury and poor form has dogged the Peckham man to such an extent that his place in the England team may not normally even have been assured. Some fans are finding it hard to forgive a series of high-profile blunders that have cost England points over the past eighteen months - now that he holds the armband, though, it seems as though Rio will start despite them.
FOR - A respected squad member
Nonetheless Rio is a commanding figure in the England dressing room, having held the vice-captaincy since Terry inherited the armband from David Beckham in 2006. In early 2008 Ferdinand captained the Three Lions in Paris against France, and although the side lost 1-0 his was not a poor performance. He's likely, then, to be held in esteem by his teammates.
AGAINST - A history of problems
Yet that is not to say that Rio is perfect. In fact, like Terry, he has been in the limelight more than most players. Drunk driving, missing drug tests, and - at the moment - violent conduct suspensions have seen him in and out of the newspapers with regularity. On the other hand, though, he is a role model to youths back in his home area of Peckham, where he is involved in charitable concerns.
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