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As the calendar year draws to a close, I am taking a look at this year’s top 5 captains. These men have proved their capability during the tough times and have stepped up to the plate when their teams have needed them the most. At the back or out in front, these men are inspirational. I have picked players from all leagues who have captained their side in more than 20 games.Certain players have missed out by fine margins, including the likes of Adam Lallana, Siem De Jong & Thiago Silva
5. Francesco Totti – AS Roma
The Italian has been one of the best players in the Serie A for some time now, but has risen to great heights after his team’s recent run of 10 wins in a row. They are second in the table at the moment and Totti has been instrumental in their surge upwards. This season, he has already made a huge impact providing 6 assists and scoring thrice in the ten games he played. Last season, he scored 12 goals and provided as many assists in the 33 games he played.
His mere class and brilliance made Sir Alex say that he would go to Roma to sign him. His performances however were overshadowed by the fact that they finished seventh in the league. His loyalty to his club is unmatched and his hunger for victory is insatiable. He has been invaluable to Roma and has lifted the spirits of his teammates and the supporters through his quirky humour. His double against Inter showed just how a leader must deliver in the big games.
The term ‘No Totti, no party’ has held water as his team have thrived under his leadership. His grit and determination has earned him the 5th spot on my list and also a potential national call up, and has been termed as ‘an immovable object on the landscape of the Eternal City’. If he continues to deliver as a skipper and a forward, you may well see Roma coming close to a Serie A title.4. Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
He is arguably the best defender in the Premier League, and is a great leader. Moments of brilliance like a towering header against their bitter rivals, United helped City to a first ever Premier League in 2011-12 or an impressive equalizer against the leaders, Liverpool have showed just why he is billed as City’s best ever captain. He is solid and reliable and is very composed, making him an integral part in City’s defence and team.
His classy style of play and temperament prompted Alan Hansen to say, “Make no mistake, at £6 million, Vincent Kompany is arguably the best transfer market buy of all time.” Kompany was ruled out for a large part of this season. But despite his injuries, he has scored a goal every 412 minutes, which is a great achievement for a centre-back and has a 88.5% pass success this season, quite impressive for someone who has been marred with injury all season.
Next year he could help a highly rated Belgium side to great heights in the World Championships. Manchester City will require Kompany to be solid at the back, provide moments of magic in front of goal and lead from the front if they are to regain their lost crown. The man wearing ‘The Citizens’ No.4 is a player who deserves all the plaudits and should be rated as one of the World’s best defenders, because not every defender is approached by Bayern Munich or FC Barcelona.
During a set play, people almost expect Kompany to generate some magic and score a towering header. He wins about 60% of duels and a greater percentage of duels in the air. He is one of the most underrated players in World football and deserves lots of credit for City’s rise to fame.3. Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
You can’t really have a list of Top 5 Captains and not have Stevie G on it. He symbolizes leadership. He is by far, The Premier League’s best ever captain. He is the crisis man and someone you can always turn to in times of need. He is a one-club man and will always be a Red. He personifies loyalty. He is one of the finest midfielders in Europe despite his age and is a brilliant play maker and a clinical finisher. He can run miles and has a beautiful vision for key passes.
Liverpool tend to turn to him during penalties or close range free kicks, which he generally dispatches with ease. He is whole hearted, powerful and a born leader. Even this year, Gerrard has been knocking in the goals with 8 and providing 9 important assists. Age seems no barrier for this man as he is intent on starting each game for his club. The fact that he starts for England and captains the team despite his age is a testament to the man’s ability and skill.
His thunderous volleys and precise passes make him one of the greatest to play for The Reds. It will be sad to see him go without a Premier League crown. But considering the fact that Liverpool were on top on Christmas and teams that have been on top come Christmas have won 7 out of the last 9 league crowns will encourage him.
86 out of 100 of his passes have met its intended target this year. He has provided more than 2 key passes in each game he has played this season.In his 15 games this season he has been dispossessed only 12 times. Over this year, Stevie G has provided at least 6 accurate long balls in each game he has played. His delivery into the box is unbelievable and finds its mark on most occasions. Game in, game out this man gives it his all and had The Reds won a trophy this year, he would have probably been higher up this list.2. Gianluigi Buffon – Juventus
He has been by far one of the best goalkeepers over the past decade and is an inspirational leader. He is the most expensive goalkeeper of the decade and has been at Juventus for over 12 years. This man is a World Class goalie and is quick between the sticks. He has propelled his team to unbelievable heights and has helped keep numerous clean sheets. He helped Juve to a comprehensive title win in the previous season and has been an integral part of the team’s lead at the top of the Serie A.
Loyalty is his middle name and he showed just why, when he stayed with the Vecchia Signora despite the fact that they were relegated to the Serie B. He made 25 saves, including 10 in a 3rd place match in the Confederations Cup this year and helped Italy beat Uruguay in the 3rd place play-off vs Uruguay in a penalty shootout where his side won 3-2. On November 24, Buffon made his 500th appearance in Serie A and kept a clean sheet at Livorno.
He is a brave shot stopper who has no fears in putting his body on the line for his team. This season he hadn’t conceded a goal in 745 minutes before he conceded against Atalanta. He was nominated for the FifPro XI of the year due to his exemplary performances. He has saved the most long shots as compared to any other keeper playing in the top division this calendar year. He has saved many a penalty in his career and is a highly respected person in the footballing circles.
His performance against Napoli was inspirational as he held a clean sheet which helped his team extend their lead at the top of the table. Despite his age, Juve haven’t required a replacement and that pretty much sums up his class. This season has required him to hold his nerve and he has done exactly that and thereby taking Juventus to the top of the Serie A.1. Philipp Lahm – Bayern Munich
This lad just had to be on the top! He led Bayern to the treble in the 2012/13 season. This season has been no different with the defender providing 3 assists this season in the Bundesliga. He’s one of the most adaptable and compatible players in the world and can play in midfield or defend. Pep Guardiola has used him as a Right-back as well as a Defensive midfielder.
Lahm is a complete player and is one of the best in his positions. One of the latest trophies he held was the Club World Cup where his team beat a spirited Raja Casablanca and he helped out in an important clean sheet. He is one of the most underrated stars in the Bayern team, and often gets overshadowed by the superstars like Schweinsteiger, Ribery and Robben stealing most of the plaudits. Very few people actually appreciate his importance to German football and Bayern Munich in particular.
He has a pass success of over 90% this year and makes at least one key pass every game. He generates around 5 long balls each game and is very strong in ball retention. He is a fearless and loyal player and is a complete team man. He may not score too many or cut an intimidating figure, but he is a shrewd customer who isn’t ‘nutmegged’ that often and is particularly fast down the right hand side. He has been crucial in Bayern reaching 3 of 4 finals in the last few years.
Guardiola said of Lahm: “[He] is perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained in my career. He is at another level.” To get such high praise from a manager of such quality is a testament to his brilliance. He was nominated for the Ballon d’Or several times, and has continued to justify those nominations.
His trophy cabinet is probably the main reason why he is at the top of this list, not to undermine his credentials otherwise.
