The five most iconic captains of the Premier League era: Keane, Gerrard...
- Albert Pearson
- 15 March 2022
Harry Maguire has been accused of lacking the type of leadership needed to take Manchester United forward as captain.
That's if you listen to his former team-mate Ahmed Elmohamady. The pair played together at Hull City for three seasons and according to the Egyptian, he is not fit to captain the Red Devils.
Luckily for Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo spared his blushes and scored a late winner to keep United in the hunt for an unlikely top four finish.
However, Elmohamady believes Maguire can't handle the 'pressure' of being captain of Manchester United and said the club should appoint Ronaldo as his successor next season.
"Harry was with me in Hull City and, in my opinion, he doesn't have the level to be the Manchester United captain," Elmohamady said.
"Man Utd need a player with a strong personality and I hope that the next manager will give the captaincy to Ronaldo if he stays. Ronaldo can handle this responsibility and pressure; however, Maguire can't handle this pressure.
In response to Elmohamady's comments, Planet Sport has decided to look at five Premier League captains who he could never make such comments about.
Roy Keane
Undoubtedly one of the best captains of all-time if not the best. Roy Keane was a leader of men on and off the field.
Highlight reels include a punch thrown at Alan Shearer, THAT tackle on Alf-Inge Haland and a clash with Patrick Vieira in the Highbury tunnel.
Gary Neville has claimed Keane is the most inspirational player he ever trained and played alongside.
John Terry
John Terry was not only one of the best defenders in recent years but also one of the most decorated captains in English soccer.
Coming through the Chelsea ranks, Terry would become a first-team regular by the age of 20 alongside Marcel Desailly.
After being taken over by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic in 2003, the Hollywood signings started from the top with Jose Mourinho coming in as manager.
Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, and, Joe Cole were just some of the names to come through the door to play with the likes of Frank Lampard and Terry.
JT left it all on the pitch and would run through a brick wall to ensure he rallied his Blues' side to victory - and more importantly a clean sheet.
And yes, he requested to be subbed off with a guard of honour in the 26th minute of his final game as a Chelsea player - the same number as his shirt number - at the approval of David Moyes.
But nobody can deny his brilliance as a player and as a captain, he won five Premier League titles.
Vincent Kompany
Following Manchester City's takeover by Sheikh Mansour, a heavy investment soon followed and much was wasted on the likes of Robinho, Elano, and Jack Rodwell.
However, one player worth every penny was Kompany. Signing for £6million in 2008, the Belgian was a bargain to say the very least and soon became a fans favourite. There are some things money can't buy and that is leadership.
An all-round nice guy, Kompany was perhaps a polar opposite to Keane in the changing rooms but on the pitch, just as ruthless.
Steven Gerrard
Despite never actually winning the Premier League with Liverpool, Steven Gerrard cemented his legacy as an icon.
A one-man club and a Liverpool legend, Gerrard stuck by his boyhood club through thick and thin even when he was offered the chance to play elsewhere at some of Europe's elite, including Real Madrid and Chelsea.
Patrick Vieira
Taking over from Tony Adams as Arsenal captain, Patrick Vieira proved to be the perfect replacement.
Vieira remains the only captain to have ever led a team through an entire season without defeat in the league.
The Frenchman's fierce rivalry with Keane proved how much he was able to go toe-to-toe with some of the league's toughest.
Vieira left the club having won the Premier League on three occasions and one title triumph was as being captain.
