Roy Hodgson wants Steven Gerrard to captain England beyond the World Cup

Steven Gerrard and England manager Roy Hodgson

After a traumatic end to the League campaign, Steven Gerrard is on his way to Brazil as the captain of the national team. But how long will remain in that position? Well, if Roy Hodgson has his way, the English midfielder will continue to captain his country well beyond this summer’s show piece event. But, he also admitted that the decision was completely up to Gerrard.

Although Liverpool fell short of their first Premier League title, the England manager believes that Gerrard’s good form over the course of the season will continue and has backed the 33-year-old to overcome the disappointment of losing the opportunity at securing his first League title. Hodgson also revealed that he had already held preliminary discussions with the skipper regarding his captaincy.

Roy Hodgson said, “I did at one stage broach the [captaincy] subject with him and he knows I would like him to go on beyond this World Cup because he’s still such a good player with Liverpool and in great form and it would be a disappointment for me if he decides: ‘No, that’s enough for me internationally.’”

Hodgson also went onto say “It’s not the right time to talk about it, he knows what I think, but I will be choosing the right moment to bring it up. I know Steve’s not ready for that yet.

“Up until now he’s had his boots more than full with trying to win a title. He’s had to swallow the disappointment of the last few weeks when he was close and had it taken away, and now he’s got the World Cup.

“He’s got to get over that disappointment and get his World Cup head on and I know he will.”

Hodgson added that Gerrard’s strong character will help him overcome the domestic disappointment and set up when it matters most, for his country. “He’s very strong mentally. He cares desperately about Liverpool, but, fortunately for me, he cares equally desperately about England. So his mindset when it comes to England will be spot?on.

“That’s not to say that he won’t retain a bit of disappointment that Liverpool came second and not first. But I have great confidence in him that he won’t take any negative thoughts into the tournament with us.”

When asked about Lampard’s position as vice-captain, Hodgson said: “Frank’s been the vice-captain all along in Steven’s absences, which I think has been two, he’s stepped up quite brilliantly. I’ve always thought that he was going to be a key member of this 23 because of his experience and what he brings to the team apart from pure footballing ability. He brings a lot of other things to us in terms of his leadership qualities and characteristics.”

Before travelling to Brazil for their opening game against Italy, England travel to Portugal for pre-World Cup training camp. They return back to England to face Peru in a friendly, before flying off to Miami for further friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras.