By Daniel Ragusa
Over the years, Middlesbrough have had some great skippers. Tony Mowbray, Nigel Pearson, Gareth Southgate and Grant Leadbitter all immediately spring to mind.
Each of them had success at the club, and they were all humble whilst wearing the armband - none put themselves before the team, instead giving 100% for the team whilst keeping everyone in check.
Last season, Boro’s captaincy started off with Leadbitter, before being brandished to Friend, Downing and Mikel following his departure.
So, with Leadbitter, Downing and Mikel having all left the club, the time is right to question who will take on the armband for Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough side. Here’s a look at some possible candidates…
George Friend
The most obvious choice.
Friend has had a great influence on both the team and the area since joining the club in 2012. He’s proven that he’s a model professional and a figure for youngsters to look up to.
However, in recent seasons, it’s not exactly been plain sailing for Boro’s No. 3. He’s not as effective when attacking as he once was, but perhaps that’s Pulis’ fault, and he seems to get caught out at the back more frequently than he used to. Many fans have shown their frustration at his performances and the club’s inability to find a suitable alternative in several transfer windows.
With George being the only recognised left-back in the squad, Boro will surely have to strengthen in the position this summer, and there is a possibility that the new signing could replace him in the Starting XI.
However, even with this in mind, it would be a bit of a shock if Friend didn’t retain some form of leadership role in the squad considering his undying love for the club and the area as well as his experience of success in this division and the recent departures of senior dressing room figures like Gibson, Leadbitter, Downing, Dimi and Mikel.
Darren Randolph
Why not give it to the best player we have?
Captains are often figures for other players to look up to and aspire to be like. If each player matched Randolph’s level of performance from last campaign then we would all be in for a treat next season.
Often seen barking orders at his backline, he nevertheless portrays calmness through his assured displays and, as goalkeeper, can also see the entire pitch. His ability to set the tone for the other ten players on the field through his performances and to assess the entire game are positive characteristics for a captain.
Also, with the Republic of Ireland international likely to attract mass interest over the course of the summer, offering him captaincy could sweeten the deal for him to stay on Teesside.
Adam Clayton
Clayton is a divisive player. In my opinion he’s crucial to our set-up and one of the best holding midfielders in the league but to others, he’s what’s holding the team back. Fans often get on a player’s back if they think the players first thought is to retain possession rather than attack. However, sometimes keeping the ball is a lot more important.
He’s a character on and off the pitch, isn’t afraid to make his opinions heard, has played alongside Leadbitter for years and is one of our longest serving players - surely these factors all contribute to strong leadership qualities?
He’s another one of those adopted Teessiders, and he understands how much the club means to the area after going through the same highs and lows that we have had over the years.
Jonny Howson
The ‘Leeds Cafu’ is one of the hardest workers on the pitch whenever he wears the Boro shirt. He knows what it takes to get promoted out of this division and has experience with the armband at both Leeds and Norwich.
Last season he proved that he was also versatile, playing numerous different positions without complaining.
Perhaps he’s not the loudest player on the pitch, but he plays by example and often sets the tone for his side, whilst his energy will be needed to be replicated in each position if Boro are to change their philosophy to a more exciting one.
Aden Flint
This one may come as a surprise; I think he’ll be the first to admit didn’t have the best first season on Teesside since joining from Bristol City last summer.
He’ll also probably accept that he should have scored more than just the one, and perhaps his confidence wasn’t completely there in front of goal.
However, he was still part of a back-line which boasted the joint least goals conceded in the Championship last season, he’s not afraid to be vocal and get his point across to the rest of the team and he also played almost every game last season.
Maybe not the front-runner, but certainly a candidate to acknowledge.
Dael Fry
What better way is there to prove the new change in philosophy than to hand the armband to the future of the club? The lad may just be 21 years old but has already proven his Championship class over several seasons.
Woodgate has already spoken about his ambitions of bringing in a more youthful approach at Middlesbrough and Dael is the most experienced of our youth players.
It has worked wonders in the past with Ben Gibson often taking the armband during his time with the club, and also on a greater scale with Matthijs de Ligt captaining Ajax at just the age of 18. Of course, I’m not comparing Fry to the Dutch defender in terms of skill level, just that he could take the captaincy as de Ligt did.
Admittedly he isn’t the most vocal on the pitch and giving him this role could put too much pressure on his development but if the choice is going to be bold, there isn’t a better one than Dael.
A New Signing?
There is of course a chance that a new signing could take the captain’s armband.
It’s not out of the realms of possibility that someone like Ben Gibson could return or, alternatively, another natural leader is signed. After all, John Obi Mikel joined in January and took the armband at the back end of last season and history could repeat itself again.
My Choice
For me however, I believe club captain should be George Friend, with Darren Randolph and Adam Clayton taking the roles of vice-captain and third choice captain respectively.
George has proven worthy of the armband with his dedication to the team and the area. He’d wear it with pride and represent Teesside in a positive light. As well as this, should the referee summon the captain of each team for a situation in the game, there won’t be many better sweet talkers than Friend in the whole of the EFL.
Giving Randolph vice-captaincy may be enough to persuade him to stay. If Friend doesn’t play every game, you can guarantee Darren will and the shot-stopper would be a great character to take on the armband in his absence.
Clayton deserves to be in the running for the armband and making him third-choice would reward his dedication to this club over the years and I’m sure he’d relish the role if he was made captain on the pitch.
Who’s your ideal choice for captaincy next season? Let us know via Twitter.
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