Given that most Premier League clubs like to have a home grown player as their captain, the next West Ham skipper is likely to provide interesting competition for Declan Rice’s armband next season.
It really is a tricky one as you troll through the squad with no natural captain available it seems.
My first thought was Jarrod Bowen but he’s not a talker and as a wide player is also probably in the wrong position to do the job.
West Ham skipper Declan Rice
Were he a few years younger the job could fall to Aaron Cresswell but that is out of the question at rising 33 as it is with Mike Antonio who is much the same age.
I can see nobody among the summer arrivals suitable and believe it would be too early for any of them anyway.
So reluctantly I have to go for a non home grown player in Kurt Zouma who has been excellent at the heart of defence since arriving from Chelsea and he would be Simon’s choice too whilst Gonzo reckons Vladi Coufal – as a “talker” could do the job.
Give us your thoughts!
By Hughie Southon
Sadly I’m not convinced there is a natural leader in our whole squad. Zouma and Vlad have a physical presence on the pitch but I don’t see leadership qualities there.
One of the reasons we are struggling to get consistency this season is the lack of leadership. Dec does well for a young man but we miss the leadership experience of Nobes. Recruiting at least two on pitch leaders is a must for next season……but many sporting teams and business generally say how finding leaders is becoming harder, so why should we be any different!
If he stays then I would have Cresswell as club captain but wouldn’t be in my first team 11 so would pick Aguerd. I think he is a bit more vocal and organises more than what Zouma does