8 May 2008
VIDEO: Capello's call to captains
England Manager Fabio Capello gives his thoughts on the Three Lions' captain situation. 

Fabio Capello has challenged England’s prospective captains to prove how much they want the job and insisted the post is still very much up for grabs.

England manager Capello has already handed the armband to Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand in his first two matches in charge but yesterday made it very clear no final decision has been made.

The Italian will watch three of the key candidates in action today as John Terry’s Chelsea take on Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney in a Premiership title decider at Stamford Bridge.

And he could yet try out a new name when England play friendly matches against the United States and Trinidad in May.

Capello, who was attending a question and answer session with employees and customers of England team sponsors Nationwide Building Society, said: "I think I need to see what their attitude is about wearing the armband, on pitch and off it - that’s why I haven’t chosen yet.

"I will choose based on their attitude on the pitch and their behaviour off the field as well. A Captain must be a leader - he must lead by example and set an example and drag the team forward.

"So I have not decided. I will not decide until the new season, so the next two England captains are not necessarily going to be who the final captain will be."

Capello has always said he will wait until the summer to make his final decision and it looks like D-Day is a home game against the Czech Republic at Wembley.

He said: "For the game we have on August 20 I plan to have my permanent England captain in place. As I say, a captain needs to set an example on the pitch, be a leader, help the rest of the team. But at the same time he needs to be a model outside the pitch and outside football as well."

From this season, Nationwide are offering their international football tickets, VIP opportunities, mascots, signed shirts and training sessions back to customers through the 'Sponsored by you' campaign. Visit sponsoredbyyou.com for the chance to win these prizes.