Although Ferdinand is hardly a choirboy, members of the
FA hierarchy worry more about Terry as a role model and had hoped
Ferdinand would have been appointed to unite the dressing
room.
Capello, who seems bemused by the passionate debate aroused by
an armband, will not be troubled by his employers’ private
reservations nor the level of criticism his choice provoked among
some England fans. Capello appears to have given Terry the armband
because he shouts a lot, because the coach is keen to get his
message through to nervous players, and because the Italian’s good
friend, Luiz Felipe Scolari, rates his Chelsea leader highly.
England’s coach explained his selection with a brief “we need
one captain with a big personality in every moment’’, an
observation unlikely to lift the spirits of a devastated Ferdinand.
“It’s not an easy choice because Rio Ferdinand is a very important
player and I like him as a captain,’’ added Capello, seeking (if
failing) to soften the blow.
Such was the disputed nature of Capello’s judgment call that the
FA rushed through the second shortest press conference in recent
memory, eclipsed only by a panic-stricken Steve McClaren’s
“Gentlemen, you write what you want’’ outburst in Barcelona.
Traditionally celebratory moments, the announcement about the
captaincy resembled an inquest, with verdicts ranging from
“mistaken identity’’ to “death by misadventure’’. Capello looked
unconcerned, Terry was ill at ease, and such was the confusion over
the manager’s cursory pronouncement on Terry’s virtues that he was
forced to issue a clarification.
Asked whether Terry was now “undroppable’’, Capello replied:
“No. The vice-captain is Rio Ferdinand. He [Terry] will play if he
will be fit. For me, he’s an important captain but he is not sure
to play. If he’s not fit, he will not play.’’
Terry, otherwise downbeat, momentarily smiled when mention was
made of his being “untouchable’’, leading to Capello’s elucidation
that “no one is untouchable’’. He added: “The captain cannot play
if he is limping. But no one is untouchable. The fact someone is
captain does not make him undroppable.’’
Good. Terry must be picked on form. Yet Capello must harbour
some doubts over the Chelsea player otherwise he would not have
made discreet inquiries to Jamie Carragher to see whether the
Liverpool centre-half would end his international exile and partner
Ferdinand, now widely recognised as one of the most accomplished
defenders in the world.
If the Czech Republic’s Milan Baros leads Terry a merry dance at
Wembley this evening then Capello will come under even greater
scrutiny, strengthening the belief that he is building his defence
around the wrong centre-half. Terry also knows that his off-field
behaviour, let alone his on-field attitude towards officials, will
be closely watched.
When the friendly kicks off, Terry will have captained England
as many times as Jimmy Armfield (15) but will never equal the
Blackpool legend as a role model. Also on 15 in the post-war list
are Peter Shilton and Tony Adams; by the end of the season, form
and fitness permitting, Terry should have passed Gary Lineker,
David Platt, Johnny Haynes and Emlyn Hughes.
By the time of the 2010 World Cup, if England qualify, Terry
should have passed Kevin Keegan (33) and Alan Shearer (34), though
the top four of David Beckham (59), Bryan Robson (65) and Billy
Wright and Bobby Moore (both 90) are over the horizon.
By continuing with McClaren’s choice as captain, Capello has
failed to make a break with the past. Terry as captain and Beckham
on the right hardly amounts to a revolution. Capello’s claim
yesterday that England have taken a “forward step’’ in every one of
his four games was met with raised eyebrows.
England beat Switzerland, were outplayed by France, and defeated
the United States and Trinidad & Tobago. Signs of tactical
development are few, though Capello cannot be properly judged until
Sept 10 when England go to Zagreb for a World Cup qualifier they
dare not lose.
England’s players need to respond enthusiastically to Capello’s
choice and deliver a cohesive performance in front of 70,000 at
Wembley (a turnout described by the FA as “excellent for this time
of year’’).
Steven Gerrard, granted a licence to roam and create during
training this week, must show he can dominate midfield against
significant international opposition. Wayne Rooney has been
partnering a range of strikers in practice at London Colney and is
sure to work with Emile Heskey at some point.
Aware that his players lose their club belief when donning
England shirts, Capello craves one thing: “I want to see England
play like a team, with spirit and without fear – with big
personality.’’
He will also want to see positive body language between
Ferdinand and Terry.
