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Ferdinand's worth the captaincy. Unlike Gerrard and Terry

Tuesday 25 March 2008 15:54

Part of a 'captaincy rotation' policy or not, Fabio Capello's decision to give Rio Ferdinand the armband against France in Paris is a key moment in the career of the player allegedly dubbed 'Merkington Bear' by his Manchester United team-mates.

Driving bans, missed drugs tests, extortionate wage demands, 'Rio's World Cup Wind-ups' (i.e. "You've been Merked!" – see above), homophobic remarks on live radio and a premature autobiography mean few fans have really taken Ferdinand to their hearts during his career.

It has even led some to continue to roll out the line that "he still has lapses of concentration/makes too many mistakes". Utter nonsense. Ferdinand is one of the best central defenders in the world and has been for some time, often saving his best performances for big games.

You would be hard-pushed to find a footballer who does more 'good work' off the field, something that has inevitably been overshadowed by his misdemeanors.

You could even argue, as Sir Alex Ferguson has, that Ferdinand's claims to the leadership of his country are currently stronger than the other main contenders, Steven Gerrard and John Terry.

While the Liverpool captain has still to find his best form in an England shirt in 64 appearances (one less than Ferdinand), his Chelsea counterpart's berating of referees has been more prominent than his defending in recent months. Neither can be said of Ferdinand.

One can only hope his selection as temporary captain will knock Gerrard and Terry down a peg or two and remind them what kind of example they need to set if they want the role full-time.

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Comments

	March 26, 2008 11:34 david1607 said: Rio has not been getting the credit he deserves for a long time and for someone like Capello to put him as captain says a lot about the standard he is consistently achieving. He is a quality player and showed in the liverpool game (by kicking Torres all over the pitch) that he can do the dirty work. Lets be honest Gerrard and Terry keep their best for their clubs were as Rio does the job regardless.
	March 26, 2008 11:38 david1607 said: Rio has not been getting the credit he deserves for a long time and for some one like Capello to put him as captain says a lot about the standard he is consistently achieving. He is a quality player and showed in the liverpool game (by kicking Torres all over the pitch) that he can do the dirty work. Lets be honest Gerrard and Terry keep their best for their clubs were as Rio does the job regardless.
	March 26, 2008 12:21 spencer_pools said: for me ferdinand is the best centre half in the country, he has more to his game than Terry: pace,better footballer and a better reading of the game. He makes defending look easy
	March 30, 2008 06:56 Ian-H- said: They say that a defender you hear nothing about is a defender who is doing his job, and you often hear nothing about Ferdinand. He is solid as an iron girder in the back for United and his interceptions go unnoticed, his headers unobserved, and his numerous clearances utterly bereft of report. But that's what being solid is all about. Long may he reign, the lad. He should be the captain of the England national team, and how he has been overlooked thus far is more a sad testament to media and football lunacy via Stamford Fridge and Anfailed than it is a judgment on Rio's leadership and defensive skills. William Gallas is not fit to lace his boots. Gerrard is not fit to shag his shoes, and Terry would do well to fetch his slippers and consider the glass half-full. KnowhatImean?
	April 2, 2008 16:12 kingron said: Rio deserves to be captain 4 england. his display against roma prove he has the quality and leadership to be captain of england unlike that scouser gerrard and all about money liking *** hole terry.
	April 2, 2008 16:13 kingron said: he deserves to be captain. cumon rio