The Premier League is not a place for those faint hearted; goals, crunching tackles and red cards aplenty on any given match day. With the speed and ferocity of the league only increasing as they years have gone by, every club needs a player that can keep a cool head, and lead his teammates into the toughest situations.
Be they the team’s top goalscorer, dynamic midfielder, rock solid defender or ever dependable goalkeeper, the captain is massively important, as the other players often look to him for inspiration when the game is tough, with his inspirational qualities vital.
With the captain crucial to the team, we take a look at the influential men from each club:
Per Mertesacker – Arsenal
THE slowest player in world football. Reliable only in his injuries and should surely be replaced by on-field captain Laurent Koscielny. Image Source: Twitter
Simon Francis – Bournemouth
Simon Francis has been one of the few near ever present players for his team this season. However, the Cherries would be better off having Harry Arter as their captain, as he drives the team on from midfield with a real energy. Image Source: Twitter
Tom Heaton – Burnley
Arguably Burnley's best player, Tom Heaton made a name for himself with his exploits at Old Trafford, earning his side a draw, almost at the expense of his arm. Image Source: Twitter
John Terry – Chelsea
Spends more time getting patched up than on the pitch. JT has struggled with injury and may lose the captaincy to Gary Cahill. Image Source: Twitter
Scott Dann – Crystal Palace
Not quite Dann the man, Palace have struggled massively this season and Dann has not been an exception with a number of shaky performances. Perhaps if Palace want to keep Zaha then he should be given the honour. Image Source: Twitter
Phil Jagielka – Everton
Jagielka's powers may be diminishing, but he is a leader on and off the pitch. Sadly, injuries mean he isn't scoring ridiculous volleys as often anymore and should be replaced by Leighton Baines. Image Source: Twitter
Michael Dawson – Hull City
The former Spurs man has given his all to stop Hull's slide, but it may not be enough. Image Source: Twitter
Wes Morgan
A behemoth last year, Morgan has struggled massively this season. The captaincy should go to either Danny Drinkwater or Kasper Schmeichel, with the two still playing at a high level this campaign. Image Source: Twitter
Jordan Henderson – Liverpool
It would have been easy for Henderson to drop off following Sir Alex Ferguson mocking his running gait, but he has waddled his way to becoming club captain. Image Source: Twitter
Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
Captain injured. Kompany quite literally cannot play a game. Should surely be replaced by Sergio Aguero. Image Source: Twitter
Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Manchester United's record scorer has lost some of his magic but he still bleeds...err...red. Should be replaced by David de Gea. Image Source: Twitter
Grant Leadbitter – Middlesbrough
In all honesty, how has Leadbitter been made captain? Who should replace him? Alvaro Negredo. Image Source: Twitter
Steven Davis – Southampton
One of the few players not poached by opposition teams, expect Liverpool to come in with a crazy £30 million bid soon though. Image Source: Twitter
Ryan Shawcross – Stoke City
After numerous good performances, he has been continually snubbed by England, and he is probably quietly very pleased about that. Image Source: Twitter
John O’Shea – Sunderland
Another that it defies belief he is still playing, or rather, still getting paid to 'play'. Logic says Jermain Defoe should surely replace him as he is their most important player. Image Source: Twitter
Leon Britton – Swansea City
A captain should lead by example. And if the Swans want to keep hold of Gylfi Sigurdsson, they know what to do. Image Source: Twitter
Hugo Lloris – Tottenham Hotspur
Lloris is an incredible talent, but he loves a fumble. Perhaps best to leave the sweeper-keeping to the Sunday League keepers. Toby Alderweireld should surely be Spurs' captain, with the Belgian a natural leader. Image Source: Twitter
Troy Deeney – Watford
Deeney is a natural leader and, where he has struggled for goals this season, he has not gone missing on the pitch with busy performances. Image Source: Twitter
Darren Fletcher – West Brom
Another former United player. The Scotsman has channeled his inner Braveheart to push West Brom up the table. Image Source: Twitter
Mark Noble – West Ham
A real stalwart of the West Ham team. Noble may not be the most gifted footballer, but he is a hard worker and a big voice on the pitch, supplying experience and energy from the middle. Image Source: Twitter
While many of the above captains do not play regular football due to age and injury, they are still incredibly important players. The captain’s job is not an easy one, modern football is rife with undermining of players, and the captain is no exception.
However, these 20 men are an example to the next generation of football. After all, only a captain would choose to knee a player in the back in a Champions League semi-final, nice one John Terry! And only a captain could spend more time in the treatment room that on the pitch.
Football is not for the faint hearted, and neither is being a captain. While many of the above should be replaced at the end of the season, they are all fantastic examples of how no one player or skill set is the perfect match for a club.
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