Raheem Sterling has ruled himself out of taking the vacant captain's role at Manchester City - despite his growing influence for the Blues.
Vincent Kompany's departure after 11 successful years has left City needing to appoint a new skipper - but Sterling feels there are more worthy candidates than him to wear the armband.
Sterling said the likes of David Silva, who has taken on the role most during City's pre-season tour, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho and Sergio Aguero are ahead of him in the captaincy pecking order.
"It's not something that I'm fussed about really," said Sterling. "It has to be natural, you can't force it.
"I'm not going to start shouting on the pitch now Vinny's gone. Your team-mates have to see you in that light.
"The manager and us as players will make the right choice. We've got a lot of good candidates here.
"David has been here for god knows how long - he's been in the country longer than I have! There's Kevin, Dinho, we have a lot of players who can fill it."
City boss Pep Guardiola has said he will allow his players to decide who should succeed Kompany and take on the role of leading the team, rather than make the decision himself.
England star Sterling, 24, is happy to play a part in that process and acknowledged his new-found influence within City's squad and the weight his voice now carries.
"People do ask me a lot of questions for an opinion," said Sterling. "I'm developing and maturing and people around the club can see that. I do have quite a say in the changing room and they do ask my opinion."
