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Leaders are an important part of every profession, and sports and football are no different.
Captains of various clubs are expected to represent the club well. The Premier League is the biggest league in the world, and the scrutiny it attracts on a daily basis means that impeccable behavior is expected from the various club captains.
There are some strong personalities in the Premier League, and they are not afraid to make their voices heard. The last year, in particular, has shown the role the captains play.
On that note, we look at the five best captains in the Premier League this season (2020/21).
#5 Conor Coady (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Conor Coady has been a permanent fixture in the Wolverhampton Wanderers' first XI for some time now, and has to go down as one of their best transfers in modern history.
A product of the Liverpool academy, Coady moved to Huddersfield Town in 2014 in search of regular first-team football and joined Wolverhampton Wanderers a season later. The 28-year old has made 275 appearances in all competitions for the club since then, and was made club captain in 2018 by then-manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Coady has been praised for his leadership qualities. Proficient at playing in a three-man backline, Coady made his debut for the England national team in 2020, and was included in the Euro 2020 squad by Gareth Southgate.
#4 Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City)
Kasper Schmeichel is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, and his responsible activities as a footballer have seen him lauded by many as an ideal role model for the younger generation.
The Denmark international has been at Leicester City since 2011, and has made 426 appearances in all competitions for the Foxes. Schmeichel was an integral part of the Leicester City side which won the Premier League in 2016, and his performance in the final of the FA Cup was highly praised as Brendan Rodgers' men triumphed.
At Euro 2020, Schmeichel's actions after teammate Christian Eriksen's frightening collapse on the field were noteworthy. The 34-year old helped Denmark reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
#3 Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)
One of Chelsea's modern-day greats, Cesar Azpilicueta has been at the club since 2012 and has won every possible trophy.
A hard-working, versatile defender, Azpilicueta has done little wrong at Chelsea during his nine seasons at the club. The Spain international has made 429 appearances in all competitions for the club and captained Chelsea to Champions League success last season.
Azpilicueta might not be the most talented player at Chelsea, but few can match his determination and will. The 31-year old is a high-quality star who still has a lot to offer at the top level.
#2 Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed Harry Maguire the captaincy after Ashley Young's departure in January 2020.
Maguire had joined Manchester United from Leicester City in 2019 for a fee of £78.3 million, making him the most expensive centre-back in the world. However, with the likes of David de Gea present at the club, it was surprising to see Solskjaer make Maguire the club captain.
A year later, it can be comfortably said that the England international has represented Manchester United extremely well. A world-class player as well as a good leader, the 28-year old was absent for the Europa League final last season due to injury, and his absence was heavily felt as his club lost to Villarreal.
#1 Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
Jordan Henderson could depart Liverpool soon, and it would be a huge blow for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to lose Henderson the leader and Henderson the player if that does happen.
Henderson has been Liverpool's captain since 2015, and he has done justice to the role. Apart from being a consistent starter in midfield, the England international has made his voice heard regarding various issues.
In 2020, he contacted fellow Premier League captains and set up a coronavirus fund for the frontline workers. He also recently made his opinion clear regarding the infamous Super League.
The 31-year old's contract with the club expires in 2023, and there has been no breakthrough in talks for a new deal. Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have been linked with him.
Also Read: 5 footballers who became superstars after changing their positions
