England

Terry Butcher: 'Wayne Rooney only choice for England captaincy'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 26 July 2016

Former England skipper Terry Butcher believes that Wayne Rooney is the only real candidate for Sam Allardyce to appoint as the national team captain.

Former England defender Terry Butcher has insisted that Wayne Rooney is the only choice for the captaincy of the national team.

Rooney carried out the role for Roy Hodgson, but new boss Sam Allardyce has already said that he will take his time before deciding who will get the armband during his tenure.

Butcher, himself a former England skipper, agrees with Allardyce's plan, but believes that Rooney will end up retaining the armband nonetheless.

"I think it will be Wayne Rooney. I don't think there is anybody else that comes close to being a captain," he told talkSPORT.

"He will want to have a look at how he plays for his club as well, so he's quite right to leave it. There is a lot to think about before then.

"He is getting his own squad together and making sure he's got the right backroom staff and he'll talk to them. Sam is very good, he gets all the knowledge from everyone and then he'll make the ultimate decision."

Allardyce's first match in charge of England will come against Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier on September 4.