Contenders: Terry
Monday, 19 January, 2009
John Terry was named as Fabio Capello's permanent England Captain in August 2008.
During 2008, Fabio Capello awarded caps to 35 players in ten games as England won eight, drew one and lost one. Today we look at John Terry, who was named as Fabio Capello's England Captain in August.
Age 28
Date of Birth 07.12.80
Caps in 2008 6 Goals 2
Career Caps 48 Career Goals 5
Chelsea
Some would say John Terry is a born leader. After a 50-year drought he led Chelsea to consecutive
Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, earning the 2005 PFA Player of the Year award along the way. He also became the first player to lift The FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium.
When Fabio Capello was searching for his England Captain ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers, Terry was many people’s first choice to continue the role he had enjoyed on 14 previous occasions.
He was injured for Capello’s first match in charge against Switzerland, but made his international return in the next friendly in Paris. As Capello continued his approach of rotating the captaincy between players during the friendly matches, he awarded the armband to the Chelsea skipper for the USA match in May and Terry did not disappoint.
With half-time approaching the deadlock had still to be broken when David Beckham sent in a trademark free-kick. Terry climbed highest to steer home the opening goal and galvanise his charges and the whole of Wembley Stadium.
His leadership qualities obviously impressed Capello and with the first World Cup Qualifier on the horizon, he named Terry as his permanent Captain ahead of the Czech Republic friendly in August.
He led England to victory in their opening two Qualifiers, including the 4-1 victory over Croatia, before once more succumbing to injury ahead of the Kazakhstan and Belarus double-header.
However, he made another triumphant return to the England fold, heading home a Stewart Downing free-kick to give England a memorable victory over Germany in Berlin.
Quotes
"It means the world to me to retain the captaincy - it makes me very proud and is extra special this time. I have 14 games experience as Captain and now my target is to help England qualify for the World Cup [in South Africa in 2010]." John Terry
"I have shown what I can do on and off the pitch. Messrs Capello, [Jose] Mourinho and [Luiz Felipe] Scolari have seen something special in me." John Terry
"John has a big personality – [he] will be the driver of the team.” Fabio Capello