All these discussions about the defense, midfield and forwards has got me thinking. Especially when i am slagging of the goonies about how they have not got no leaders or a real captain and good players can only get you so far! It seems to me when Lamps, JT and Cole have been out we are lacking in that department! Perhaps that is all we need is for someone to step up to the plate in the middle of that pitch! Perhaps Branslav Ivanovic can be given the captain's armband?! Only my suggestion.

If anyone Mata would be a good choice.

Yes, what a question, and one that foxes me based on the limited knowledge we have so has to be based on instinct, knowing captain qualities and having met/spoken to a couple of players over the years.

Yes, Mata is intelligent enough for this but does he have leadership skills, is he vocal enough? Does Ivan command respect and inspire the team with words and actions. Both could be valid but for me it's Cech all day long - he is approachable and genuinely nice guy and one I think the players would look up to - not just literally either. I also would add Luiz and Cahill as possible candidates for the future.

I remember southgate (and this is probably the only rational thing I have ever heard him say) is that it doesn't matter who the captain is. We have players all over the pitch who are capable of wearing the arm band and who are natural born leaders so it doesn't need to be put to the person who is the best leader. For me it should go to the person who loves the club, who tries to drive passion into the team and the only person I can think of is David Luiz. Love him or hate him for his errors but you cannot argue with the fact that he wears his heart on his sleeve

Cahill yes, Luiz... um... he'll either be an inspirational genius or a bloody nightmare of a fruitloop, Fast Eddie. I'm leaning towards the latter right now.

Aside from Cech I'd go for Mata. He's a decent man, respected I believe and, as you say, is intelligent too. Cech's another much respected good guy but my only concern with him is that it must be difficult to communicate instruction and encouragement up ahead when restricted to the goal area.

Cahill yes, Luiz... um... he'll either be an inspirational genius or a bloody nightmare of a fruitloop, Fast Eddie. I'm leaning towards the latter right now.

He did quite well getting the time up for it after a dismal start against united.

Cahill, Ivanovic, Ramires, Mata are all leaders. None as strong as JT. Ivanovic is probably the most vocal but Ramires is a leader in the way he tackles and drives the team forward.

I'd agree with Mata, he actually is very vocal on the pitch (watch him) and is a wonderful role model.Only other real candidate is Cahill and I suspect he's the long term option.

Agree that Cech as captain doesn't work, no slight on him it's just that a goalkeeper as captain is a flawed choice for a host of reasons.

Edited November 12, 201213 yr by bjd

Cech as captain makes no difference as far as I'm concerned. You don't need an armband on to be vocal and drive your team on, real leaders do it anyway.

I'd like to think that Cahill could emerge as heir apparent to JT but I'm not sure he's vocal enough. In Terry's absence its imperative that either he, Ivanovic or Luiz grabs the bull by the horns and assumes responsibility at the back. So far no one has genuinel done this when JT has been absent.

Mata or Ivanovic seem like the best choice right now. Cahil is more for the future and that will time tell. On USA tour Di Matteo gave amband to Ivanovic as I remember. I'd also agree that is very hard to replace John Terry as a captain.

Captain is mostly a ceremonial role anyway. They lead the team out, call heads or tails and get to lift the trophy first. JT, Dennis Wise, Roy Keane, Bobby Moore and the rest would be just the same whether or not they had an armband on. Give it to a senior, respected player. Cech would be fine by me.

theres only Juan man id give it to, he loves Chelsea, is tactically brilliant, intelligent, a role model and players look up to him