Hodgson’s choice: Gerrard is captain, Terry goes but Ferdinand does not
LONDON: Steven Gerrard will be England’s captain at the finals of Euro 2012. The Liverpool skipper, who briefly worked under his new international boss Roy Hodgson at Anfield between July 2010 and January 2011, will regain the armband having led his country at the 2010 World Cup.
John Terry had returned to the role as captain under Fabio Capello after the finals in South Africa two years ago, having previously lost the role as a result of revelations about his personal life.
But the Chelsea defender was in February of this year again stripped of the captaincy by the Football Association after being charged with alleged racial abuse of Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand. Terry has always denied all allegations.
Gerrard was subsequently overlooked as captain by interim boss Stuart Pearce, who took charge against Holland after Capello had resigned over a row with the FA regarding the second Terry saga, in favour of Scott Parker.
But Hodgson has no doubts the Liverpool star will prove a perfect captain at Euro 2012, when England will face France, Sweden and Ukraine in Group D in June.
“In my opinion, he is the man who merits this award or distinction,” Hodgson said at a media conference on Wednesday that was broadcast live on Sky Sports News HD.
“I know him, of course, as a player. I know him as a person. I know how committed he is to the England cause.
“He was delighted last night when I told him of my decision.
“I will be counting on him to help me as much as he possibly can to build the type of team unity and the type of environment that I think is going to be very necessary for us to thrive in an important tournament.”
England squad for Euro 2012: Goalkeepers – Green (West Ham), Hart (Man City) Ruddy (Norwich).
Defenders – Baines (Everton), Cahill (Chelsea), Cole (Chelsea), Johnson (Liverpool), Jones (Man Utd), Lescott (Man City), Terry (Chelsea).
Midfielders – Barry (Man City), Downing (Liverpool), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Milner (Man City), Parker (Tottenham), Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Walcott (Arsenal), Young (Man Utd).
Forwards – Carroll (Liverpool), Rooney (Man Utd), Welbeck (Man Utd), Defoe (Tottenham).
