John Terry Replaced by Rio Ferdinand as England Captain

Filed in archive England on February 5, 2010

Revelations over Chelsea skipper John Terry's private life led to much speculation over the past week as to what actions England manager Fabio Capello would take. The Italian disciplinarian saw fit to do what the bookies said he would, but the man has less sense than people give him credit for.

At least this puts to bed the ridiculous notion that one Wayne Rooney would make him himself the least experienced team-leader on the international stage. Should a violent pit-bull with no desire to adhere to FIFA's Respect campaign really have been put in charge? Only in a team run by Sir Alex Ferguson, but then didn't I once spot Gennaro Gattuso wearing the armband for Italy in the absence of Buffon?

Steven Gerrard has only been offered the place of vice-captain, while David Beckham has been left out of the loop altogether (though this is, I am sure, thanks to a predicted lack of first-team football). In Terry's place he has put a man with no cleaner a record, and one who is facing a potential five-match ban for his assault on Hull's Craig Fagan. Drink driving, hotel orgies and missed drugs tests must mean nothing to Capello...