Gareth Southgate: This is why I have named Jordan Henderson England captain v Slovenia

JORDAN HENDERSON has once again been tasked with the unenviable job of replacing a national icon from Merseyside.

Posted Tuesday, October 11, 2016 by Express.co.uk

If the manner in which he has grown into the role of succeeding Steven Gerrard as captain at Liverpool is a mark of anything, then Gareth Southgate's decision to ask him to wear the armband in Wayne Rooney's absence is an astute one.

Southgate maintained that Rooney remains his leader but, at 26, Henderson finds himself in pole position to inherit the honour on a permanent basis.

Henderson was clambering on board the flight which carried England from Luton to Ljubljana yesterday afternoon when Southgate sidled up and informed him he would be skipper against Slovenia in the Stozice Stadium tonight.

Jordan Henderson has been named England captain to face Slovenia by Gareth Southgate

"What stood out for me is that he has taken over as captain at a club where he has succeeded one of the most iconic players in English footballers of all time," said Southgate.

"That would have been a difficult challenge for him. He has matured from that. He has shown great leadership skills with his club. He is used to being captain which is important.

"He has a voice and an opinion within this group. He has his clear ideas of what we need to work on. A good tactical understanding. "Again, it was not an easy decision because there are other senior players in that dressing room, but he has captained a big football club and is used to that responsibility so it is the right decision for me."

Gary Cahill - who is set to win his 50th cap here and is the vice-captain - would have considered himself to be in the frame when news of Rooney's demotion broke, but Henderson's promotion is reward for an eye-catching start to the season.

There were times last term at Anfield when his campaign was scarred by heel, toe and knee injuries that he doubted whether he was right to follow Gerrard, yet the determination he has mustered to convince himself, and others, of his worth reflects well on him.

That it has come at a time when he has been adjusting to the demands of a new position at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp deploying him in a deeper-lying midfield role, merely emphasises the strides he has made. Henderson was the leader of England's 'midfield unit' in the team meetings held under Roy Hodgson and in that sense his step up again feels natural.

"I think Jordan's a fantastic leader," said Rooney. "He's took an incredibly difficult job from Steven Gerrard and he's really grown into that position. He's a fantastic player with great leadership qualities.

"He deserves his chance to captain England. I'm sure for him a really proud moment and his family." Ends.