Chelsea star Gary Cahill should be England captain not Harry Kane... strikers are too selfish for the job

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I have never been an advocate of strikers being captain.

There is a clamour for Harry Kane to lead England and I understand that. He's scoring goals, full of confidence and works his socks off but I wouldn't make him captain.

It needs to be a centre half or midfielder as they are closer to the main action and in a better position to assess the team shape.

Harry Kane had a sensational September, scoring 13 goals in eight games for club and country

He is a big player for England but I would not like to see him made captain by Gareth Southgate

The important basic in football is to stay switched on, it's all about what you do next. When a striker misses a chance there's a moment when his head may go down or he ponders what he should have done. 

Behind him, the team need to be in position to regain possession and a centre half is best placed to shift people into place. Generally that's not something a striker thinks about.

That's why, for me, the captain should be Gary Cahill.

I had Gary for a three-month spell on loan at Sheffield United when he was 21. Even then he was a good talker and organiser, and he's a quality defender. 

He's worked alongside one of the best captains in John Terry and has taken over his mantle at Chelsea. He's got experience, 57 caps, and when he talks to younger players he will command their respect.

Gareth Southgate has talked about rotating different captains and I understand that. The England team look a little short on leaders and if a number of players have a go then they understand the responsibility and the team should mature.

Strikers, like Kane, tend to be too selfish to be captains. They should be left to focus on scoring

Furthermore, strikers often let their heads go down after missing a chance to score

Kane is a contender, as are Jordan Henderson and even Eric Dier. However, by the time the World Cup comes you want continuity in leadership.

When I was England captain, my first concern was to get my own game right; only then can you encourage or criticise others — lead by example.

Don't get me wrong, Kane can inspire those around him, but I'd leave him to concentrate on scoring.

Kevin Keegan was my first England captain and you couldn't help but respect him because he worked so hard and he had been European Footballer of the Year.

Alan Shearer was another forward who led by example but the team are sharper for having a leader further back who can read the pattern of the game and ensure others do their jobs.

If I was Southgate I would give the armband to 31-year-old Chelsea centre half Gary Cahill

I worked with Cahill 10 years ago. Even back then he was a good talker and keen organiser