During the interminable games behind closed doors in the pandemic era, it became abundantly clear that captaincy had changed. With no fans in grounds, it was easy to hear everything said by players. Beyond the deafening voices of a few like Conor Coady and Kasper Schmeichel, there were fewer shouters.
Gone are the days when every side had players who screamed and cajoled, captains like Tony Adams and Roy Keane. Football’s changed, arguably society, too. Where are the leaders? Dressing-rooms are not crammed with leaders. Academies breed players who take the lead with the ball but don’t instinctively take the lead with the other players. How many of the 25 players picked by Lee Carsley in his latest England yesterday would be considered true captains? Harry Kane, definitely, Marc Guehi, Declan Rice and possibly Conor Gallagher (who fulfilled the role at Chelsea last season).
Even if there is a general decline in the number of true captains, most clubs in the Premier League have good candidates. Arsenal have a great role model and quietly assertive leader in Martin Odegaard. Liverpool are not short of leaders, including the colossus who wears the armband, Virgil van Dijk. Andy Robertson captains Scotland, Mo Salah captains Egypt. Manchester City have their leaders, whether Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri (when fit), Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji while Kyle Walker has taken the armband on occasion.