Manchester City midfielder Gareth Berry was given the captaincy armband for England’s upcoming friendly with Ghana, due on Tuesday night, following John Terry’s return to the Bridge.
Chelsea ace was given the leave, just days after he was re-appointed as England captain, along with his club’s team-mates Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, United’s Wayne Rooney and Spur’s Michael Dawson, who all headed to their respective clubs.
Even though England’s results tend to prove otherwise, we can clearly sense a certain unrest among the players. Capello is choosing a different captain for almost every other game, expressing preference to certain types, however insisting he’s not having the likes of England’s Champions League representatives, as many have been suggesting so. The aforesaid players are simply overworked and are desperate for a break.
30-year-old Berry, however is more than happy to take over, as he was left out of the squad that featured against Wales this Saturday.
Berry said: “I’m not looking on being made captain as softening the blow after not being involved at the weekend.
“I’m not trying to look at it that way at all. Saturday was disappointing for me, not to be involved at all.
“But that is football and how things can change so quickly. One day you are not involved and a few days later you are being asked to lead your country out at Wembley.
“I’m more experienced now and, although disappointed at the weekend, you learn to deal with things like that in a better way.”
This would definitely be a memorable moment for City’s midfielder, since this is the first time he’ll lead the team out, though he did captain England against Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt and Denmark, but never from the start of a game. He added: “It is important you don’t try and change yourself just because you’ve been made captain.
“I’ve done the job at Villa for a few years, led the Under-21s and right down to youth level.
“You don’t change your game, you lead by example.
“There are going to be inexperienced players who have not featured from the start at Wembley too often.
“At stages during the game, people are probably going to need help and that is where I can come in and help.”
Tags: England, Gareth Berry, John Terry
