In a series of posts, we’ll be looking at several challenges facing the club as we begin to say goodbye to “Captain, Leader, Legend,” John Terry. We begin by examining who, if anyone, is fit to take the armband on our current roster.
John Terry is the captain of all team captains, he was born with the captain’s armband on his arm.
Carlo Ancelotti, Source: The Beautiful Games of an Ordinary Genius
Suspended for what might be his final two games as a player for Chelsea Football Club, John Terry’s abdication of the armband — by force, not desire — looks more certain with every day that passes. Silence from the club echoes just as loud of the groundswell from supporters, frustrated by the lack of of a contract extension for JT.
There’s twenty players across the Premier League tasked with captaining their teams, but none whose presences looms as large as #26. Through business in the transfer market or promotion through the academy, another center-back will claim Terry’s spot in the defense next season.
While that business should be sorted by the board (*shivers*), First Team Head Coach Antonio Conte draws the honors of selecting Chelsea’s next captain. But, who should he choose? Here’s a few choices:
Branislav Ivanovic
Ivanovic might make sense on the surface — he’s served dutifully as vice-captain for Chelsea and also captains the Serbian national team. However, stuck fulfilling a one year extension in 2016/17, there’s no guarantee Branislav would be anything beyond a stop-gap solution. Having gone over a decade without a change in captains, filling the role with whatever player pops out of the revolving door doesn’t bode well for rebuilding Chelsea’s spine.
His potential captaincy as a movie title: “The Substitute Captain ”
Cesc Fàbregas
Our Spaniard assist-machine wouldn’t be donning the captaincy for the first time. He previously served as skipper for Arsenal from 2008/09 until he transferred to Barcelona in 2011/12. Often brilliant while attacking, and questionable in defense, Cesc would have to maintain a higher level of consistency in his form if called to serve. There are stretches of matches where he can be present, but not a commanding presence.
His potential captaincy as a movie title: “The Half-Season Captain”
Gary Cahill
Champions League Winner Gary Cahill would be a serviceable option. The English center-back serves as vice-captain for the English national team, recently earning the chance to captain the side in the absence of Wayne Rooney. Similar to Ivanovic, Cahill just crested over-30 and might not be an option beyond one to two seasons (even though he is currently signed through 2019). He could, with the rise of Zouma and the potential return of Christensen, find himself a squad player in the near future.
His potential captaincy as a movie title: “The ‘Who, Me?’ Captain”
Eden Hazard
Mr. Returned from the f****ing Abyss, Eden Hazard, might not top your list. Many of the choices above make more sense, but the 2014/15 PFA’s Player of the Year will gain quite plenty of “on the job” experience this summer. With Vincent Kompany sidelined due to injury, Hazard will be captaining the Belgium national team during Euro 2016. After a disastrous season, many might immediately latch on to this idea.
But, perhaps we should. Mourinho tipped Hazard as a potential successor to Terry during the summer, before the darkness engulfed the 2015/16 campaign:
On the pitch he leads. He is not afraid to take responsibility. He is not afraid to get the team in a dark situation and bring blue sky again for the team. He is not afraid of this. He is a guy with great discipline. He is not the kind of guy you see setting bad examples and so on.
Jose Mourinho [via Evening Standard.]
His potential captaincy as a movie title: “Captain Actions Speak”
Replacing John Terry, and asking another to assume the mantle, is certainly the tallest of orders. Anyone who wears the armband will immediately draw critique from fans, unduly, as a form of backlash for the treatment of John Terry. He won’t:
- Be vocal enough.
- Be enough of a leader.
- Command the players.
- Be academy produced.
As tough as it might be today, we need to accept another player will be wearing the armband in 2016/17. In my mind, it should be Hazard.
Eden may never be the prolific scorer that Messi or Ronaldo are, but I do believe he can be the leader and captain they never will be. Patient and composed, he has an ability to will a result into being. In the second half of season, Hazard turned many potential draws into victories through his own resolve, rallying the team around him. His unique talents, and leadership through action, can help in reestablishing and setting a standard. Paired with Conte’s desire for technical excellence, this would produce a powerful partnership between coach and captain.
Your 2016/17 Chelsea Captain, Eden Hazard. He’ll show you he’s a leader, and perhaps in time, he’ll craft his own legend.
