Who will captain England at World Cup 2018?

Lions prowling for a new leader

Goalkeeper Joe Hart played out England’s 2-0 win over Lithuania at Wembley on Sunday as stand-in captain, and did himself no harm in getting the call going forward.

The shot-stopper has problems of his own at the minute however – do Man City want him back, and if not, where will he be playing his football in the summer? The 29-year-old seemed quick to distance himself from taking the England armband full-time, telling the press after that World Cup qualifying win that Wayne Rooney remains captain, and he was merely helping out.

It looked like Hart was third-choice anyway, and only got the nod as Gary Cahill, who had done the job against Germany in that friendly defeat a few days earlier, was suspended. So, if we take it for granted that England will be playing in the World Cup next year, who is the man to lead Gareth Southgate’s side onto the pitch in Russia?

Cahill the man for the job?

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill is the obvious pick for next captain. At only 31-years-old, the centre-back still has plenty of time on his side and has at least two major tournaments left in him. Modern footballers are living a life that prolongs their career, and Cahill seems the perfect role model in a period of transition for the Three Lions.

He boasts big game experience in the blue of Chelsea, and will have a league winner’s medal in his possession soon enough. Cahill has played club football for the likes of Aston Villa and Bolton, as well as Chelsea, and has come up through the ranks at England too, playing at U20, U21 and senior level. He’s current vice-captain at both Chelsea and England, and seems ready for a move up in both sides. He was also placed in a position of responsibility at Bolton earlier in his career, so has no lack of experience as a leader. A respected member of the team, Southgate’s choice looks obvious.