The Hindu : Sport : Eriksson tips Ferdinand as potential captain

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 04, 2004

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Eriksson tips Ferdinand as potential captain

LONDON, OCT. 3. England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson tipped Rio Ferdinand as a future captain on Saturday ahead of the Manchester United defender's return to the national squad.

Ferdinand recently ended an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test, which saw him miss England's final Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey last October and the entire European Championship. But he's not about to replace David Beckham.

``I have no intention at this moment to change captains, but I'm sure that Rio Ferdinand is a leader. He talks and that is always important,'' Eriksson said on Saturday. ``A captain must be a player who the others are prepared to listen to. If they're not, then everything is wrong. He must be a team player, not someone who always thinks about himself. As a manager, you should have a good relationship with him. I think Rio has those qualities, as David Beckham does and John Terry also has those qualities.''

Ferdinand is eligible for England's next two World Cup qualifiers — against Wales at Old Trafford next Saturday and at Azerbaijan on October 9. Eriksson names his team on Sunday. Eriksson is likely to pair Ferdinand with Sol Campbell in central defence, despite the strong form of John Terry and Ledley King.

Campbell is fit again after injuring his Achilles at Euro 2004. Eriksson said Ferdinand was in good shape despite not playing for eight months. He returned for Manchester United's win over Liverpool on September 20.

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