Who Should Be Man City’s Captain Next Season?
15 Jul
Inspiring, motivational and stimulating: three words that cannot be used to describe Kolo Touré’s captaincy last season. Perhaps that opening is a tad harsh, as the former Arsenal defender did improve in his playing capacity as the season progressed, but I, just like the vast majority of Blues around the world, remain unconvinced that Touré should be the captain of our beloved team.
Appointed by erstwhile manager Mark Hughes at the start of the campaign, Touré failed to live up to expectations, both as a performer in defence and also as the type of leader who would galvanise his troops into action, much like Aeneas in Virgil’s epic Aeneid. I have a sneaky feeling that had Roberto Mancini been in charge from the start, and not just joined halfway through the campaign, then the coveted armband may have been adorning the upper bicep of another player. Unfortunately, as far as I’m concerned, there aren’t any standout names for the captaincy. There are a number of possibilities, which I will now outline, and then leave you to choose who you would appoint in the poll at the end.
Shay Given is the most experienced player in the squad, and has been involved in the Premier League for years. As shown by his performances on the field, he is not averse to barking out instructions, but whether a goalkeeper should be made captain is a contentious issue, despite Iker Casillas performing that role for Spain as they won the World Cup.
Vincent Kompany is one name which I have heard mentioned in relation to be appointed captain, and I would certainly have no qualms in handing the armband to the no-nonsense Belgian international. He is very vocal on the field and in the dressing room, and has the respect of his teammates. My only hesitancy is that he may not be a first choice pick for the starting eleven, such is the strength in depth we now possess.
Nigel de Jong, in my humble opinion, should be given the role. His bustling, all-action approach has won over the fans and he would be the pick to galvanise the rest of the squad. He is almost certain to be one of the first names of the teamsheet, so is a strong candidate for the captaincy.
Patrick Vieira is a hugely respected figure in the footballing fraternity and commands a great deal of respect in the dressing room for what he has achieved in the game. Clearly not expected to feature on the pitch regularly, Vieira could be appointed as club captain, with someone else doing the job on the pitch. Mancini is known to be a huge admirer of the Frenchman, so don’t rule out this possibility lightly.
Carlos Tévez is the outstanding player in the squad and is the sort of character who would try his hardest to lead by example. He would undoubtedly relish the challenge of captaining City, although I have my reservation as to whether he ought to be given the job.
So there are my brief thoughts, and please take the time to vote in this poll. Thanks for reading.
Outrageously arbitrary reference to the Aeneid there. Don’t even try Steve, just accept that everything we learnt this year will in no way aid or inform our lives from now on.
Everyone knows Virgil was in TB2.
please can they ban all sneezing from eastlands.
craig bellamy looks like a woman…obviously a very ugly one.
Blue Boy, deary me. How have you missed Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry off your list of contenders. Toure particularly has the respect of his peers and the motivational abilities to bring the best out of team mates. He’s my pick. We’re also about to sign Kolarov so our strongest XI at the moment:
Hart, Boateng, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Johnson, Toure, Barry, Villa, Adebayor, Tevez.
Mouthwatering
Thanks for all the comments. Tom, I am trying my hardest to forget the Latin, but I just saw a bee, which reminded me of them thronging their liquid honey.
Av, to be hoenst, I forgot about Barry until doing the poll, although both Yaya and Gareth are included. I just didn’t write about them. Surely de Jong is ahead of Barry in the pecking order though!
Av – We’ve signed Villa? Wow – and there was me thinking he’d signed for Barcelona with the intention of staying for at least one game with them. Proof finally that we are one of the big boys!
Urban Spaceman – at least somebody read my drivel. Meant Silva of course. Villa will be for next season…
It is an interesting question to raise.
Obviously, if you go on experience, then Given is the only choice.
I personally thought that the team’s performances improved when Given was wearing the armband, only for us to fall away at the end of the season – incidentally, when Given relinquished the armband due to injury.
I hadn’t thought of de Jong as captain until you had mentioned it – however the issue of his discipline is called into question, especially after the challenge on Xabi Alonso in the world cup final.
Kompany, will he nail his name on the team sheet week in, week out? Probably not.
I think th equestion that we need to consider is who WOULD have been captain had Manchini been manager at the beginning of last seeason, would it have been a given that it would have been Given? Or would he have given it straight to a new signing?
Steven, you cannot give the armband to A GOALKEEPER! End of.
My opinion, Barry for the captaincy, without a doubt.
p.s what Ricky has waffled on about is quite frankly ridiculous and not even true!
Iagree with AV’s team too – thatis a force to be reckoned with and the bench would be
Given, Toure, Richards, De Jong, Bellamy, Ireland, Balliotelli
Now that is what I call MOUTHWATERING!
I’d have De Jong instead of Barry any day. But that bench is seriously strong!!!
VINNIE FOR PRESIDENT