Mauricio Pochettino’s got a big job on his hands – he’s gotta pick Chelsea’s new captain for the upcoming season. Cesar Azpilicueta had been rocking the armband with pride ever since Gary Cahill left in 2019. But now that Azpilicueta’s taken off to Atletico Madrid, the coveted role of leading Chelsea is up for grabs.
Even though there are plenty of possible candidates, Pochettino isn’t saying anything about who he’s going to choose. Before a friendly match against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League Summer Series in the USA, the Argentine coach said he wants to see how players act both on and off the field before he picks the new captain. He’s giving himself until the Premier League opener against Liverpool to make up his mind.
Trevoh Chalobah, who was the captain for Chelsea in their impressive 5-0 win against Wrexham in the Florida Cup final, might not have a guaranteed spot in Pochettino’s squad. This is mainly due to the competition from experienced defenders like Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, and Levi Colwill, who are also fighting for places in the defense.
As Pochettino thinks about who should be the captain, a few experienced players really stand out. Thiago Silva, who’s 38 and has a ton of experience, is one option. On the other hand, Reece James, who’s 23, and Raheem Sterling, who’s 28, could also be good choices.
Usually, defenders and central midfielders are often the ones chosen as captains because they have a strong presence on the field. They have a great view of the team’s positioning and can give guidance to their teammates. Although attackers like Sterling can also be good leaders, Pochettino might prefer someone who plays in a more central role. The choice of Chelsea’s new captain is super important because that person will be responsible for guiding the team both on and off the field all season long.
