Everton FC’s Phil Neville tips Mikel Arteta to succeed him as captain

19 August 2010 07:00
Phil Neville and Mikel Arteta[LNB]PHIL NEVILLE believes Mikel Arteta has all the qualities needed to succeed him as Everton captain.[LNB]The versatile 33-year-old has skippered the Blues since David Weir left Goodison to join Rangers in January 2007.[LNB]Neville is fiercely proud of wearing the armband but when the time comes to step down he believes manager David Moyes has the ideal replacement in Arteta.[LNB]The Spaniard recently ended speculation about his future by signing a new deal to keep him with the Blues until 2015.[LNB] 'I see Mikel as a true leader for this team,' Neville said.[LNB]'He's someone who will be a fantastic captain for this club.[LNB]'He's that type of player and he's that influential in the team. People listen to him and respect him - he has that aura about him.[LNB]'When he does something he leads by example and when he says something people listen. That's why it's so important we managed to keep hold of him.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Neville has called on England boss Fabio Capello to promote Jack Rodwell to the full international squad alongside Blues team-mate Phil Jagielka for next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Source: Liverpool_Echo