There are some who insist the job should go to a natural inspirer of men, a blood-and-thunder leader like John Terry. Others, meanwhile, make a vibrant case for Steven Gerrard. But tomorrow night against France, another player - Rio Ferdinand - will lead England as Fabio Capello continues his policy of rotating the captaincy during friendlies.
Ferdinand's appointment will make some supporters flinch. They will wonder whether someone who missed Euro 2004 after failing to take a drugs test, regularly appears in the front end of the News of the World, and whose best performance at Germany 2006 was telling David James that he'd been "merked" on ITV is the right person to lead his country?
On the flip side, Ferdinand has been superb this season and is at least guaranteed his place, which is more than can be said for Terry, who is not yet back to his dominant best, or Gerrard, who has been instrumental in Liverpool's upturn in recent weeks but has not always looked happy in an England shirt.
Come September, when England start their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign, Capello will choose his permanent captain. But if you were in his shoes who would you pick - and why?
