Fabio Capello will make John Terry sweat on his future as
England captain and he has also refused to confirm whether David
Beckham will ever earn his 100th international cap. The England
manager has ruled out a private meeting with Beckham prior to next
month's friendly against Switzerland, insisting that all players
will be treated as equal and judged on merit.
Terry will miss the game due to injury and while sources close to
the Chelsea defender remain confident he will continue as captain
when he returns, Capello declined the opportunity to confirm as
much after Monday's World Cup fixtures meeting here.
'The captaincy is a very important decision,' said Capello, who
chose to speak through an interpreter even though his English is
much improved. 'And the captaincy issue is a very important one for
England. There are many things I have to evaluate and I must come
up with the choice that is right and important. A captain must be a
leader, someone who carries the team, somebody who in every moment
is important for the team. 'I'm evaluating whether to decide for a
definitive captain or to appoint a provisional captain (for
Switzerland). I have first to know the candidates well because it's
such an important decision. But please don't take this as
indecision. I want to get to know the players well.'
Capello again stressed the importance he places in player
discipline and headlines that have not reflected well on Terry may
well have registered with the Italian. 'I believe players must set
an example, in particular for the young, when they are part of an
important group like the England team,' he said. Beckham's
off-the-field conduct has rarely been in question but the former
England captain will worry that his coach at Real Madrid has no
intention of meeting him before next month's friendly. Not least
because both he and his advisers thought Capello would see him on a
visit to Arsenal's training ground, which the FA regularly hire and
where Beckham is staying fit during the MLS close season.
Capello, however, said he had no intention of arranging such an
encounter. 'I am accustomed to meeting managers,' he said. 'But I
will speak to the players when we get together. Of course, there
are exceptions. I may speak to players who are injured. 'But I have
not met Beckham. My first week was taken up by meetings and English
lessons. Beckham is important for England and can still give a lot
but, as everybody knows, all the players are equally important to
me. I consider them all on the same level. A manager has feelings
but, first and foremost, he has to take decisions.'
After little more than a week in the job, England's referees rather
than the players under his consideration appear to have made the
biggest impression. He wishes to pay them a compliment, though,
rather than join many of his contemporaries in criticising them.
'The first thing I noticed were the referees,' he said, 'because
they whistle so little compared to those in the rest of Europe. I
also noticed the total movement of the team which escapes you when
you watch English football on TV. 'That is something that has
impressed me in matches I've seen. I know all the players but I
want to see them in action. One or two matches is not
enough.'
