Five England captain candidates as Southgate eyes ousting Rooney

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side are flying currently, jostling for Premier League top spot. A huge part of this has been the energy and leadership shown by Henderson.

Playing every league game for the Anfield outfit this season, Henderson has been key to the Reds’ title tilt and transformation into division leaders.

Henderson also not only has club captain experience, but led the Under-21s with the armband.

Gary Cahill

The Chelsea centre back, part of the England squad since 2010, has racked up 51 caps since his debut. Cahill is known for his technical ability, powerful heading and good tackling. The former vice-captain Bolton Wanderers man also has an impressive goalscoring record from defence.

After a shaky start under new blues boss Antonio Conte, Cahill seems to have found his feet in a side that has kept a clean sheet in each of its last five fixtures.

However, the question is, can he lead his country? In 2014, he was named the Three Lions’ deputy to Rooney, after the international retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. He has even be known to take the armband, as he did in 2015 during a 2–0 home win over Estonia in Euro 2016 qualifying.

With vice-captain experience for both club and country, Cahill could could be ready to take a step up, but not a certain starter for club or country and increasing in years, could fall behind a few in the pecking order. Cahill is 7/1 to become the next Three Lions permanent captain.

Joe Hart

He may have had a truly awful Euro 2016 and been booted out of Manchester City by Pep Guardiola, but Hart remains in contention at 8/1.

Now in Italy with Torino on loan, he experienced a rocky start but has grown into his role in Turin. Something that may have caught Southgate’s eye in France during the Euros, was Hart’s vocal nature, desire and passion.

While others seemed to cower away from responsibility, Hart faced up to the nation’s embarrassing displays.

Hart has been captain previously for a single game in 2015, but the concern is the form he displayed in France, while playing at the highest level of international football. The Man City stopper made two howlers at the tournament and was a massive part of England’s bleak defeat to Iceland.

Eric Dier

Dier became a favourite under Roy Hodgson and played every game at the Euros. His clever shielding of the back four has continued to impress for both club and country.

Schooled in Sporting Lisbon’s academy during his youth, it shows in his intelligent reading of the game and ease when stepping up on the international stage.

Dier is a player the Three Lions have lacked over the years and is extremely valuable. Although he has no experience of captaincy, you get the sense Dier is a character that could quite easily cope with the added responsibility.

At 14/1 he is superb value to become England’s next permanent skipper.

John Stones

At present, Stones may not be the most consistent and reliable centre back around, but his potential to grow into something special under Guardiola is clear to see.

His confidence on the ball often leads to sloppy turnovers in possession, but as he matures that should be cut out.

Stones will be a mainstay for both club and country for years to come and, if Southgate is truly looking to the future Stones could be an interesting choice.

However, does Southgate really want to pile more pressure on a player that has so far struggled when the going gets tough?

Stones is an outside bet at 16/1 to wear the permanent national armband next.

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