Another day, another Fabio Capello calamity. The controversial England manager is in the news once more, this time for talking up the possibility of former England captain, John Terry, wearing the armband again. This, after stripping the Chelsea player of the honour in such ruthless fashion over the Wayne Bridge saga last year.
The one thing you could respect Capello for was his passion and demand of his players to behave in an orderly fashion on and off the pitch. This is what has won him such high praise throughout his managerial career, that and his ability to deal with high-profile players. However it would now appear that Capello has had a U-turn on his own beliefs and is set to give the armband back to a man who most believe doesn't deserve it.
The one thing that strikes me immediately with the latest Capello drama is that he is worried, and he has every right to be. England's team has been chopped and changed so much recently that in the friendly against Denmark last month, Capello was angered that players were looking round to see who actually was the captain of the team. Obviously that day it was Frank Lampard, who stepped in for regular captain Rio Ferdinand and his deputy Steven Gerrard, who both missed the game through injury. Even Ashley Cole and Gareth Barry had a go that night.
A friendly against Ghana awaits and a more important encounter with Wales at the end of the month in a crucial European Championship qualifier. Capello cannot afford to drop points in the next match, and he knows that. He might feel that reinstating Terry as England captain can increase his side's chances of securing a vital victory.
The one thing I don't think Capello has acknowledged is the possible backlash if he decides to reinstate Terry. Ferdinand has already spoken of his disappointment at the news that Terry might replace him as England captain. The Manchester United defender, 32, has struggled with injuries throughout his career and the same can be said this year, with it looking almost certain that he'll miss the Ghana and Wales matches. Vice captain, Gerrard, is out for a month as well which limits Capello's options so it's easy to see why the Italian is considering Terry once more.
There is no doubting Terry's abilities as a leader on the pitch. He has shown his qualities for Chelsea for years and even in his short tenure as England captain. His club manager, Carlo Ancleotti, has stayed with him throughout the ordeal and has never questioned keeping him as club captain. The one worry that could come out of Terry getting the nod to take over once more, is how other players in the squad will react.
Will they look up to Terry? Or have the players completely lost the admiration they once had for him? Only time will tell.
Opinions are mixed on whether Terry should be given the captaincy once more but one thing you have to admire about the player is the way he has continued to play his heart and soul out for England, despite what I am sure has been a tough time for him indeed. Some people have argued that the captaincy doesn't matter anymore, a sad state of affairs given the fine leaders England has had over the years, Terry included.
He is without doubt England's most natural leader and for this reason alone I believe it is right for him to resume his role as captain of England. But if that does happen then Capello will be the the one person left looking rather foolish as he dismisses his own philosophy and ideals, dragging another unwanted cloud over the England camp in the process.
Source: DSG
