Rio Ferdinand proved himself as a decent, but not top, pundit this summer, whilst working for the BBC at the World Cup. He showed some good knowledge that only a former player could and he had. He also made a wise decision when choosing to prolong his career with QPR in the ‘Most Competitive League in the World™’ (so called after Gareth Bale unceremoniously announced it was no longer the ‘Best League in the World™’). However, Ferdinand has made one announcement that needs to be set right: calling for Wayne Rooney to be made the new England captain.
The former England captain said it would be a “natural progression” to see his former Manchester United colleague don the anchor they call England captaincy. In the same breath, he also told the press to “look at other countries” for guidance.
So to begin with, people must look towards other countries (presumably the best) to see where Ferdinand is coming from. Germany, World champions as of last month, are a model example. They have been led by example and discipline through Philipp Lahm. Yes, Ferdinand is correct: Lahm is a leader we should try to emulate; but where does Rooney come into this? A petulant brat who has been performing under-par for his country for the past four years? No that isn’t how many would describe Lahm.
How about Iker Casillas for Spain? No, he won’t be captain much longer, but he was a very model professional. Thiago Silva, of Brazil, is another top captain, with very little in common with Rooney. Leo Messi, although some still doubt he is captain material, has been invaluable to Argentina with his leading of the line, not to mention being the best player of this generation (just). Even Cristiano Ronaldo has become a much more mature player and person, thus earning captaincy of his country. So what was Ferdinand’s point? There doesn’t seem to be one here.
So, it must be the “natural progression” that holds Ferdinand’s trump cards. England have been relying on their own natural progression for years. Probably since 2008, when the European Championships (yes, there was in fact a tournament that year, England fans) were held in Austria and Switzerland, natural progression has been allowed to take its course by the FA. The Wally with a Brolly could be forgotten and, whilst the rest of Europe enjoyed an entertaining tournament, England smirked with glee as they fantasised about the 2014 squad that ‘natural progression’ would bring to the fore.
So it didn’t work out. The England team progressed less than Jack Wilshere on a Vegas holiday. Natural progression didn’t work and no one would dare call for it to be left to pave the way again… would they? Except Ferdinand and several hundred thousand, if not millions, more.
Without getting into another entirely different point, the FA and England team need revamping from the ground up. The absolute opposite of natural progression – which has contributed to the ’48 years of hurt’ – is needed. England need to look to the future and realise the next captain will be a stop-gap, unless they develop a lot more. This England team is average. A captaincy choice would be picking the best of a bad bunch.
So, if looking into the future is the best option, what does Roy Hodgson do now? Well for starters he could avoid picking a childish, overpaid, loose cannon as his next captain. The other options left won’t leave many fans overjoyed, but they are the result of years of ‘natural progression’ leading this team. Gary Cahill and Joe Hart are the two stand-out options, with a blend of talent and experience. Ignore the calls for Ross Barkley or anyone else with just a handful of international starts to be named.
What makes Ferdinand believe Rooney would be a better leader than Hart? Many criticised the ‘keeper for his poor performances in the earlier stages of the 2013/14 season, but he showed himself in a great light towards the end of the campaign and in the World Cup, with a never-say-die attitude. Also, with him being by far the loudest player in an England shirt, the nation could do worse.
As for Cahill, whilst still not a John Terry type leader, he can be a very able defender and has learnt from one of the best at Chelsea. He had some woeful performances at the World Cup, but who didn’t? His calm head could be a valuable asset when leading a nation, something Ferdinand should really notice, considering the similarities between himself as a young defender and Cahill.
Then, come 2018 – when the FIFA travelling circus lands in Russia – a proper captain may have emerged from the new foundations (hopefully) set out by a new-look FA, whether it is Barkley, Wilshere or even a new spritely talent.
Ferdinand could be a valuable asset in helping England progress in the future as his playing career reaches its twilight, but he needs to drop the archaic belief that England will ‘sort itself out’. The answer is clear: natural progression is the lie England can comfort themselves with, or they can discard it, start anew and finally stake a claim as a half-decent football nation.
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