Is Rio grand?

Join the debate on Rio Ferdinand's appointment as England captain

Last updated: 25th March 2008

England Manchester United Ferdinand

Fabio Capello has chosen Rio Ferdinand as England's skipper ahead of the France game - do you agree with the manager's choice?

Would you have liked David Beckham to skipper the side on his 100th appearance?

With Capello planning to rotate the captain's armband, do you think he should look at continuity?

Who would be your long-term choice as England skipper?

Join the Sky Sports debate using the form below.

Comments

Matthew Grantham says...

He will be a great captain for Manchester United in the next year or so when Giggs and Neville are no longer around so if he's good enough for Sir Alex and Manchester United, He's good enough for 'YAWN' England. Saying that, doesn't seem to matter who is captain or who is the manager, still boring, non offensive England. I just wish England would be more adventorous and not be scared to concede chances and maybe a goal. Lets play more like Brazil, concede 4 and score 5. OK, we're lose more goals and concede from time to time but at least it would be playing to the strengths of the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney. As things are currently we lose and will NEVER win a competition playing this way so why not try a more offensive approach...nothing to lose. Offensive teams such as Brazil and Portugal are to good to keep out for the whole 90 minutes if we sit back as we've found out in the Euro's and World Cup. Time for England to start scarying other countries defenses and putting them on the back foot with our offensive, talented players. When was the last time Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard had good games for their country? Look at the clips of yesterdays game and you will see on the odd occasion England managed to get down the flanks there were no players getting in the box. Watch these players on a Saturday however and they flood the box with late runs. England for me play too defensive and bring teams onto them. England then get the ball and thump it 50 yards up the pitch to the smallest player on the pitch ROONEY who is surrounded by 3 defenders with no support. Cappello's job should be to get the best out of his best players and playing this defensive way is not helping any of them. ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK

Posted 10:46 27th March 2008

Jeremy Amalu (Manchester United fan) says...

Although i am a Man Utd die hard fan, i believe Stevie G has what it takes to be the captain...lets not blame him for masscherano's outburst as the way the lad was going...even god himself would not be able to calm him down...rio is a fantastic player and a defender but perhaps he does not voice out that much.stevie G who plays in the middle of the park...can see things and give commands from there...it would be better as i feel stevie G has always had that never say die attitude ( like rooney and makelele ) ...so its good that rotation basis is implied..but in the long run...it should be Stevie G then Rio...but terry ??? oh gosh...just forget about it...the player is one soar loser and he wouldnt die for his country..

Posted 05:20 27th March 2008

Robbie Herd (Liverpool fan) says...

Folks, if you are true football supporters there is no doubt that you will agree that Gerrard is the ideal and most appropriate leader of England. Apart from his undoubted motivation (which some of the others also have, Terry, Barry and possibly Ferdinand), his absolute professionalism is unrivaled. No criminal record, no drink or drug issues, no fighting, no inappropriate comments, no scandal just a complete model pro. The only other who comes close is really Barry however he doesn't have the International experience. Enough said, lets move on, this is becoming boring and completely irrelevant.

Posted 22:49 26th March 2008

Joel Brammer (Manchester United fan) says...

John Terry is overrated, petulant and a terrible choice for England captain. Terry has proven this season how little he respects the rules, his opponents and the officials. His childish tantrums when a decision is given against Chelsea are a disgrace. Terry's reign as captain proved to be England's worst in a long time - thats not necessarily his fault entirely, but still, he was McClaren's choice. Everything McClaren did to England we should be seeking to undo. Rio has been in outstanding form this season, and has captained United many times. I say give him a chance, or give it to Gerrard.

Posted 21:56 26th March 2008

Rob Elliott (West Ham United fan) says...

i think capello is doing the right thing by trying out different players before coming to a decision. Regardless of how much video he has seen on players before taking over as England boss, the easiest way to guage whos captain material is trial and error...best to do it now whilst the games are friendlies and nothing is at risk... My personal choice would be Gerrard (altho his performances in an england shirt don't match his Liverpool heroics) or Rio as he has done a good job for Man Utd...they are a big club with a lotta fragile egos so if he can handle dealing with that squad he can probably handle Englands prima donnas... Beckham? For sentimental reasons i can see giving it to him for his 100th game but I think this shows capello doesnt see him featuring as heavilly for much longer or he woulda given him his shot tonight...he did a lot for england (good and bad) in his prime (which he is well past) but i reckon hes gonna become a bit player from now on... Whilst Terry is a good defender i think he is too volatile to be a captain...always the first one to square up to players when theres trouble for Chelsea...not a good role model for our kiddies to be emulating and a captain needs a cool head which he is yet to show he has. anyways....just my humble view rob p.s. west ham for another season of mid table mediocrity next season! ;)

Posted 21:02 26th March 2008

Tom Wilkins (Liverpool fan) says...

Its good that Capello is rotating the captaincy to see who his best leader will be. When Rio has captained United he has done well, winning all matches, but I dont think he will never be properly suited to captain the national team. He doesn't have the qualities of Steven Gerrard or John Terry. To me Gerrard is the number 1 choice, it might sound biast from a Liverpool fan but its the right choice. Just think of his performances in the champions league 2005, fa cup 2006, and on many other big occassions! If Gerrard doesn't get the captaincy then John Terry deserves it.

Posted 20:35 26th March 2008

G W (Everton fan) says...

I think Rio is a good choice, everyone that isn't too convinced has to take into consideration that it is only a rotation policy to see who works/leads best. Stevie G is my preferred choice but give Rio his chance and see how he does.

Posted 17:25 26th March 2008

Rob Jones (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

I think its worth giving Rio a try. why not? he has been excellent this season and one of the reasons united are where they are. if he does well i'd give it him permanently as JT is overrated as captain although a good player

Posted 17:22 26th March 2008

James Maroon (Manchester United fan) says...

Rio's a great choice for captain. In response to Stevie G, How can you say Rio isn't experienced and suggest Gareth Barry (Yet to play in Europe and with a handful of caps compared to Rio) instead? Rio has led many a team and is 3rd choice united skipper, leading them on numerous occasions this season! Hes composed on the ball and rarely makes mistakes, has played in Europe since his Leeds days and ever present at England central defence. Ideal choice.

Posted 17:18 26th March 2008

John Clarke says...

Those of you who call Terry a hooligan or say he is vile are totally out of order. But what do you expect from people who are so anti anything in blue and only look at the world through Red tinted glasses.

Posted 17:05 26th March 2008

Louis Kernot says...

I don't think that Rio is a good choice because all what he has done in his past and he is telling Terry to clean up his act. I think that Terry should be the England captin because he is a true leader. I am a Chelsea fan and i guess you think i am being one sided but you look at how he gets the Chelsea players going. That's all thanks. (Come on the Chelsea)

Posted 17:03 26th March 2008

Jack Evans (Newcastle United fan) says...

rio is a good choice but stevie g is the obvious candidate for captain hes a dynamic midfielder who can lead the team all through the match and has the passion and ability to become the best english player in a long, long time

Posted 14:42 26th March 2008

Steve Taylor says...

Rio is a great captain and i think he should be more often. For all those saying Gerrard is a true captain, what happened on sunday at Old Trafford? The way his team-mate (masch) was acting where was he? why didn't he act like a true leader and stop his player from making a fool of himself. Just because he's the best player in liverpool doesn't mean he's captain material.

Posted 14:24 26th March 2008

Dayo Towolawi (Portsmouth fan) says...

Rio is a perfect leader, this has shown in all the matches he captained united, he has won all, who says he has no leadership qualities? can u compare Rio and Terry in terms of discipline?. Well to my opinion if it is not Rio, it should be Gerrard. So thumbs up to Capello

Posted 13:16 26th March 2008

Stevie G (Arsenal fan) says...

I belive that Rio is a bad choice for captaincy, he hasn't had much experience, i know Capello is rotating the captaincy but now that Rio has England Captain next to his name is what i think is a bad decision!. he barely captains Man Utd with players such as Rooney and Ronaldo above him, why hasnt Steven Gerrard been thought about? he has done so much more as a leader, and if Capello is building for the future why not give a younger player the chance, maybe Gareth Barry who has been Villa captain for a good few seasons now and did very well!, also he is very experienced. Anyways it's just a thought ...

Posted 12:10 26th March 2008

George Agius (Manchester United fan) says...

Much has been said here about a person having to captain his club to captain his country. Does it happen that way? No it does not! So what is the problem about Ferdinand not captaining Man Utd?

Posted 11:43 26th March 2008

Ryan Smith says...

Those of you who are saying that Rio is a bad choice are clearly not watching Manchester United play week in week out because Rio has been outstanding for us this season! Against Liverpool on the weekend where were Gerrard's leadership skills, he was non existent through the whole game and failed to deal with Macheranos outburst. As for John Terry in my eyes he does not even warrant a place in the team not only does he lack respect there are better defenders in contention such as Sol Campbell.

Posted 11:33 26th March 2008

Pratik Topiwala (Manchester United fan) says...

Stevie G is not first choice. He should have done better this weekend to keep Mascherano away from Bennett... I thought Cappello was rotating the captaincy in friendlies anyway, so why not have an experienced player who's on form as captain?

Posted 11:28 26th March 2008

Adam Boult says...

The wearer of the armband itself is insignificant, a true captain shouldn't need a piece of material on his arm to display whether they are a true leader on the field or not. A captain in my eyes is someone willing to lead by example, ie, Terry, Gerro, Beckham a few years back, the appointment of Rio as captain is insignificant in the fact that Terry and Gerro and going try and lead like they do every week in the league.

Posted 11:28 26th March 2008

Dylan Looney (Manchester United fan) says...

I think it was a great choice to put Rio captian because its good to rotate the captiancy in friendly matches. But in the world cup it will probably go to Gerrard or Terry. But thats only my opinion. Fabio Cappello knows what he is doing.

Posted 11:27 26th March 2008

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