
March 27, 2008
Terry Wants Armband Back (Sky Sports)
John
Terry has vowed to do everything he can to ensure that he is named as
England's captain on a full-time basis.
The Chelsea defender was installed as national skipper
under previous boss Steve McClaren, but uncertainty continues to rein as
to whether he will keep the job under Fabio Capello.
The Italian coach has made it clear that he intends to
rotate the captaincy between a number of leading candidates before
making a final decision once the World Cup qualifiers get underway in
September.
Despite seeing Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand lead
the team out in Capello's first two games in charge, Terry insists that
he is still the right man for the job and is determined to wrestle the
armband back in the coming months.
"I remember when I got the job as captain. To walk out
for that first game, it was unbelievable," he said.
"I want to keep that armband. I am really passionate
about it.
"It means so much to me, to my family. I want to be a
successful England captain.
"I've thought about what the new manager will do. I
will give everything, in training, in the games. I will give it my all.
"We have some great players and some great leaders. Mr
Capello is a clever man and a great manager and he'll give it to the
right person.
"I will have to be patient and we'll see, but I will
say here and now that I want to be the England captain."
Capello has stated that his captain must be a model
professional both on and off the pitch, and Terry has been criticised of
late for his tendency to confront match officials over contentious
decisions.
The Chelsea skipper feels that his actions just prove
how passionate he is about winning and insists that he is not about to
change his ways any time soon.
"I get frustrated and I like to make my point," he
told Icon magazine in the build up to England's friendly with
France.
"You have to be careful not to rant and rage though.
"As captain, I think I am entitled to ask questions.
If a referee explains his decision, I will walk away.
"Being passionate has got me where I am today. I think
I do set an example in the way I play.
"If they don't want an England captain fighting for
England in every way possible, fighting to win the ball and coming out
of the tackle fighting for the cause, then that's down to them to make
that decision.
"Whilst I am captain, I am not going to change the way
I am on the pitch.
"When I'm off the pitch, I will be as nice as pie.
I'll sign autographs, I'll smile, but as soon as I cross the white line,
I am there to win the game."