Who should captain Germany in the Euro 08?

[Hans]

Greetings everyone. I'm questioning all of you about who should captain Germany in the Euro 08. Even though it's unlikely that Joachim Löw will change his mind about the captaincy, I think it's legit to question whether he is right about it or not.


To start with, Michael Ballack was promoted to captain when Klinsmann arrived in 2004, but since then his career has gone down and his last performances for Germany were far from conving, he was also quite poor during the World Cup. He has great skills and is a true leader inside the pitch, but I'm afraid he won't be at his best during the Euro, physically speaking, and I honestly don't think he will ever get his 2001-2004 form back.


During these last few months, Michael Ballack was out injured, so 3 players have stepped up and took the armband. Those players were Werder Bremen's Torsten Frings, Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Schneider and FC Bayern's Miroslav Klose.


Analysing the possible candidates:

- Torsten Frings, he is a true leader inside the pitch, much like Ballack so I reckon he'd be a great captain at the Euro, he also captains Werder Bremen.


- Bernd Schneider, one of the most technically gifted German players and probably the most experienced player in the German National Team, he also captains Leverkusen. I think he'd do well.


- Miroslav Klose, best German striker and of the most skillful players in the German National Team, but I'm not sure about how influential he would be and how he'd lead the team, but he should be given the benefit of the doubt, being Germany's most on form player and he always does well in big competitions.


There's also another option, which I haven't mentioned yet, for 2 reasons:

1. It's still unkown whether he will start in the Euro;
2. He is very unstable and not trustworthy, in my opinion.

Yes, I'm talking about Jens Lehmann, also known as Mad Jens. It's a long shot, I know, but it's undoubtely a possibility.


The options are then:

1. Michael Ballack
2. Torsten Frings
3. Bernd Schneider
4. Miroslav Klose
5. Jens Lehmann
6. None of the above


Share your thoughts with us.



And can please an Administrator add a poll to this thread?
Thanks.

[henry14]

In my thoughts, Torsten Frings is the most suitable one to captain the Germany International. M.Ballack has not played for a long time and uncertain that if he recovered from injury, appearances of Chelsea maybe unsure for him.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Me too think Frings is the right man to captain Germany.

[BlackNess]

Bernd Schneider IS MY CHOICE .

he is experienced , Plus he played in the last two WC's.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I can't believe Scheider still plays for Germany in the first place.

[Podolski]

I think it will still be Ballack. Yes, he is not as good as he was a few years ago, but he's still amazing. And I think euro 08 is the last chance for him to shine for his country, so he'll perform.

Other, Torsten Frings, for sure.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Poll added.



I'd stick with Ballack, as Podolski said above, this is probably his last big competition for the German NT so he will want to prove himself and eventually revive his career. He will only receive offers from other clubs if he can prove that he is still world class. Shining at the Euro is the perfect cenario for him.

If not, then give it to Klose

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Mighty T.A.L.

I can't believe Scheider still plays for Germany in the first place.

And why is that ?

He is still a class player, most Leverkusen fans would say that he is on his prime at the age of 33 ( ) so I really dont think that dropping Bernd from the NT should even be considered.

He came 3rd in the poll for Best player in the Bundesliga last season, only behind the winner Diego and Mario Gomez.

[Trim]

Ballack will undoubtely continue to wear the captain armband.

Schneider has to be the vice-captain.

Klose or Frings wouldn't be bad choices either.

[Vargas_4]

I'm gonna go for Schneider. Very experienced. Very good player. He seems calmed and calculated many times. He has kept a good form for a really good time now. It wouldn't be a bad thing.

Vice-captain; Torsten Frings. I feel he wasn't really recognized for his '06 WC performance. He was really good. A key member for Germany, IMO. His presence against Italy would have changed the game.

Michael Ballack. As many have said, he hasn't been able to find his old form for a while now. I know he will be fully recovered by December. But then he has 6 months to find his pace again. His game. At the last WC he was way-overrated. He was crucial in the '02 WC. Yeah. I reckon that. But he wasn't the same in the '06. Felt he still lacked. He did start up the play for the equalizer vs Argentina. But a small spark of brilliance isn't gonna make you as worthy to be captain (as how he became worthy after '02 WC). If he is named captain, it would be more symbolic than anything else.

Miroslav Klose. Great striker. Great attacking presence. But I don't think he has that much influence to be captain.

Mad Jens. Do I really need to say why he shouldn't be captain? And for that matter, be the No1 keeper?

[Hans]

Originally Posted by Vargas_4

I'm gonna go for Schneider. Very experienced. Very good player. He seems calmed and calculated many times. He has kept a good form for a really good time now. It wouldn't be a bad thing.

Vice-captain; Torsten Frings. I feel he wasn't really recognized for his '06 WC performance. He was really good. A key member for Germany, IMO. His presence against Italy would have changed the game.

From my perspective, the armband should be given to Torsten Frings the captain, for a few reasons:

1. He is used to captain of a top team, whereas Schneider not exactly, because let's face it, Bayer Leverkusen haven't been a top team since 2002.

2. I feel that Torsten Frings is much more influencial during the play than Bernd and he is used to ordering all the others around him, as he is the defensive midfielder and has a great responsability. Bernd playing on the wing, limits his influence in the game.

3. In my opinion, Germany's the best player in the World Cup, one of the best last season and the reason why Diego was so successful for Werder Bremen. If it wasn't for Frings' brilliant defensive work, Diego wouldn't have that much time to have the ball and dictate the play, as he'd have to do a lot more defensive work.

Originally Posted by Vargas_4

Michael Ballack. As many have said, he hasn't been able to find his old form for a while now. I know he will be fully recovered by December. But then he has 6 months to find his pace again. His game. At the last WC he was way-overrated. He was crucial in the '02 WC. Yeah. I reckon that. But he wasn't the same in the '06. Felt he still lacked. He did start up the play for the equalizer vs Argentina. But a small spark of brilliance isn't gonna make you as worthy to be captain (as how he became worthy after '02 WC). If he is named captain, it would be more symbolic than anything else.

My thoughts exactly, reason I first started this thread.

[Robinho4Ever]

Ballack !! Germany did well when he was a captain, and I'm sure he'll lead Germany to one of the first 3 place in the Euro.

[Dragoen]

I voted for Thorsten Frings. Because iam pesimistic about Ballack and don't belive he will recover from his injuries before the euro. Frings is the best fitting into captains role he is a true leader. Schneider would be a possibilite but Frings is more a leader than Schneider. Klose is too quiet to be captain.

[NJ10]

i would stick with Michael Ballack. Yeah his form hasnt been great the past 12 months or so, but it hasnt been as bad as some people have made out. i still think he is Germany's most influential player when fit. he should be back in action for Chelsea next month, and under a new manager I have faith that his form will return. as i've said before, on his day Ballack is easily the best all round midfielder in the world, pisses all over Gerrard.

if he isnt fit or in the team, i guess Torsten Frings is the man to turn to. he has captained Bremen with distinction and is a very reliable performer.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by Dragoen

I voted for Thorsten Frings. Because iam pesimistic about Ballack and don't belive he will recover from his injuries before the euro. Frings is the best fitting into captains role he is a true leader. Schneider would be a possibilite but Frings is more a leader than Schneider. Klose is too quiet to be captain.

Agreed on everything, besides the highlighted part. I'm sure Ballack will want to prove to the world that he is still alive and a good performance in the Euro would do it. He will be motivated, that's important, even if he isn't 100%, his presence in midifield makes a difference.

By the way, welcome to Talksoccer dude. Good to see you here

Originally Posted by NJ10

i would stick with Michael Ballack. Yeah his form hasnt been great the past 12 months or so, but it hasnt been as bad as some people have made out. i still think he is Germany's most influential player when fit. he should be back in action for Chelsea next month, and under a new manager I have faith that his form will return.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by NJ10

as i've said before, on his day Ballack is easily the best all round midfielder in the world, pisses all over Gerrard.

Really ?!
I think Gerrard has more in his game than Ballack does.

Originally Posted by NJ10

if he isnt fit or in the team, i guess Torsten Frings is the man to turn to. he has captained Bremen with distinction and is a very reliable performer.

Even if Ballack isn't 100% he will be on the team, I'm pretty sure of that. And if he is on the team, he will definately be the captain, can't see Löw taking the armand from Ballack. Would create too much controversy and Ballack, like him or not, is still the best German player.