Image via Zimbio
1. He is a regular in England national team and will play an important part in Euro 2012.
Many said Gerrard or Lampard should be the Captain, yet chances for them to be a regular in Euro 2012 is smaller than Parker. Gerrard been on and off the pitch throughout the season due to his injuries and Lampard, just not as fit as he used to be. Parker maybe about their age, but he is at his best now and will be an important part for the national team.
2. Euro 2012 will probably be his first and last BIG tournament, so he will give it his all.
Parker may not have enough World Cup or Euro experiences, he may not even have enough experiences representing the England national team compare to other England players. He has a mere 10 caps for England senior team, much lesser compare to Gerrard, Lampard, and even Joe Hart. But whether he can lead the team or not, is in his character, not in numbers. Parker is 31 now, the upcoming Euro will probably be his last huge tournament, which is also his first, where he is expected to play a big role in. He will definitely put in everything for the team.
3. He put his team above everything.
Maybe someone would think his achievements at West Ham do not mean much, because, well, look where is West Ham now. Yet, sticking to a club at the relegation zone till the last minute, that counts for something. There were clubs invited Parker to join them during the January transfer window last season, he stayed because he knew the team needed him the most at that time. After his father’s death, he didn’t take his time to grief, instead he said ‘The team needs me,’ then went out and played 90 minutes full just the day after the death.
4. He is a true fighter.
Parker is a tough player. He doesn’t go easy on his opponents. He takes hard tackles and he fights till the last minute. We have seen times when he went down, blood all over his face, or pain all over his face, but he won’t bat an eyelid and always come back on the pitch. He may not have the perfect skills, yet his fighting spirit made him so irreplaceable in West Ham, then Tottenham, and also England. If he can spread this spirit amount the whole England team, the trophy may not be that far away.
5. He is leader material.
Parker has a great impact in the team, no matter in West Ham or Tottenham, even in England, and no one can deny that. When he was in West Ham, even though he was just the vice captain of the team, media, fans and almost everyone saw him as the captain of West Ham, forgetting that Upson was actually the real captain. When West Ham was 3 goals behind in a league game against West Brom and everyone thought there was no chance for a comeback, his half-time speech brought the team back together and the team went on to score 3 goals in the second half, that was the biggest comeback of the season. Parker stood up for the team when they need him and he influenced other players, West Ham was only good at throwing away leads but that night, Parker made a different. He made a different in Tottenham as well, they are a different team before and after he joined. So does England.
6. He is ready to take on such responsibility.
When people say Scott Parker is too old to be captain, I just can’t help shaking my head. Taking on that captaincy is a huge responsibility and players like Joe Hart, Gareth Barry or James Milner may not be ready for it. Yes, they are good players and they are the future of England, so let them be captain in the future, not now. Being the captain of the team, a player is no longer representing himself, but everyone else in the team as well. He steps out representing a whole country. If you put that kind of pressure on a younger player, it may stop him from performing. We know how all these pressures can do to the England team. Parker may have failed to lead England to victory that night in the friendly against Netherlands, but we know he is ready to take on such responsibility.
7. He has the respect of other players.
These were the words from Pearce on appointing Parker as the captain, ‘You want somebody who has the respect of the other players, someone who will put the group before themselves – a vital commodity for any captain.’ Pearce is the manager and he won’t appoint Parker if he thinks other don’t respect him and won’t listen to him on the pitch. Joe Hart, being one of the names on the new captain list, also showed his support for Parker as captain. Parker may not have Champions League medal on his belt and never won Premier League champion, but he earned his respect using his hard work and that is exactly what England needs - to forget about all the past glories and the big names they have in the team. Fight for the trophy using their hard work, which no one does it better than Scott Parker.
8. He is just the right person.
Scott Parker gives 200% on the pitch. He is hard working. He never gives up. He is a man who can change the whole team, motivate the whole team. Gerrard used to be that man for Liverpool, but his influences in England national team was never as much. Lampard has enough to worry about himself; Rooney still needs to work on his temper and Joe Hart is still bit young for such responsibility. So Parker, is just the right guy for this.
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