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Last Updated: Thursday, 10 August 2006, 08:33 GMT 09:33 UK

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Writers reveal captaincy views

By Simon Austin & Ben Dirs

Steven Gerrard and John Terry
Liverpool's Gerrard and Chelsea's Terry both captain their clubs

The country's top football writers are split on whether new England coach Steve McClaren should choose Steven Gerrard or John Terry as his captain.

Gerrard of Liverpool and Terry of Chelsea are the clear favourites to take over from David Beckham, who stood down as skipper after the World Cup in Germany.

BBC Sport polled football correspondents from seven national newspapers plus our own chief football writer, with Gerrard and Terry returning four votes each.

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer, BBC Sport website

Steve McClaren should go for Steve Gerrard, who has been an inspirational leader of a Liverpool team containing less natural talent than Chelsea, almost single-handedly inspiring them to Champions League and FA Cup glory.

Brian Woolnough
Chief sports writer, Daily Star

The next England captain should undoubtedly be John Terry. We have to get rid of the showbiz razzmatazz era of English football and get back to the basics of solid, sensible leadership.

Matt Lawton
Football correspondent, Daily Mail

It's a close-run thing, but Steven Gerrard should be the next England captain. Firstly, he's absolutely assured of a place in the side, and secondly he has the right profile for the job.

Martin Lipton
Chief football writer, Daily Mirror

My choice would be the man who has led Chelsea by his force of personality, who's grown into the captaincy at Stamford Bridge and is a better player when he wears the captain's armband. My choice as the next England skipper is John Terry.

Matt Dickinson
Football correspondent, The Times

I would choose Steven Gerrard. He's been inspirational for Liverpool and is an undoubted world-class talent who will be in the team for the next four years at least.

Kevin McCarra
Football correspondent, The Guardian

I would choose John Terry. He's a man who is instantly recognisable as a captain and has done an excellent job at Chelsea. He also has a personality and determination that the fans identify with.

Sam Wallace
Football correspondent, Independent

Steve McClaren's England captain should be Steven Gerrard. He's shown he can do it for Liverpool, he seems the kind of player who can grow into the role and I think he could handle the off-field responsibilities better than any of the other candidates.

Mick Dennis
Football correspondent, Daily Express

I don't think we should have a permanent England captain. We should pick someone on a match-by-match basis, then you're not hampered by the choice. But if you are going to have a permanent skipper, the most natural choice would be John Terry.