Michael Owen believes Steven Gerrard will be dreaming of making history as only the second England captain ever to lift the World Cup.
The Liverpool midfielder was handed the armband after Rio Ferdinand pulled out of the squad with injury. And Manchester United striker Owen believes his former Anfield colleague will flourish with the added responsibility.
“It's got to be crossing Stevie's [Steven Gerrard] mind as England start the competition in Rustenburg," Owen told The Telegraph.
"If England have a good tournament, Stevie would go down as only the second Englishman, after Bobby Moore, to lift that World Cup and that would be an unbelievable feeling.
“Everybody's devastated for Rio Ferdinand for getting injured, and is wishing him a speedy recovery.
"I know how hard he will be working to get fit for the start of the season and I'm sure I will see Rio at Manchester United's training ground, Carrington, soon.
“But now that Rio is sadly out, there is nobody better to captain England than Stevie. I know him well.
"We grew up playing for Liverpool together and I know how much representing his country means to him. This is a massive moment for Stevie, the biggest in his career.
“He's captained England before but it's different in the World Cup. Stevie will rise to the challenge because he has all the qualities.
"He has this quiet authority that inspires. Stevie won't let England down against the US."
Despite Gerrard’s credentials, Owen thinks England are blessed with leaders throughout the squad who will all be desperate to seize one of their last big chances of glory in a major tournament.
“We're fortunate with England that we have a lot of club captains in the squad and a lot of players such as Stevie, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney in their prime. They are the backbone of the team," he added.
“Some of them may make the next World Cup in Brazil but they'll be touching their mid-30s. Only Wayne will be in his prime.
"That is why this is a massive competition for them and why I expect them to start strongly."
And Owen is not alone in expressing his frustration over the continued debate about the effectiveness of deploying Gerrard and Lampard together in central midfield.
The former Three Lions striker believes England have a range of tactical options, that Fabio Capello can delpoy to steer them out of Group C.
“Many areas will be important in Rustenburg, but two, in midfield and attack, strike me as key," he continued.
"Stevie's midfield partnership with Frank [Lampard] is something that people have been talking a lot about. I'd find the debate very frustrating if I were one of them.
“Stevie and Frank are in their prime, are very established in their careers and in their thirties so it's a horrible feeling to be doubted. But it is perfectly reasonable for people to ask: 'How are we going to play in midfield?'
“England could play 4-5-1 with a holding midfielder like Michael Carrick deep or they could go 4-4-2. Stevie and Frank are regulars for clubs who play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, not 4-4-2.
“At Chelsea, Frank is given licence to get forward because he knows he has two other lads in midfield with him, one of whom shields the back four. It was Claude Makelele and is now John Obi Mikel, while Michael Ballack also had a spell.
“That allows Frank to bomb on, knowing he'll not leave the defence exposed. Liverpool have Lucas and Javier Mascherano sitting in midfield, letting Stevie join Fernando Torres.
“Stevie and Frank don't have as much defensive responsibility for their clubs. England are different. If they play as a two together, I'm sure they will adapt because they are both intelligent players but 4-4-2 could be a concern.
“They can play 4-4-2 but don't do it regularly and I want to see them doing what they do best, getting forward, creating and scoring goals for us.
"If we are 4-4-2, it will be interesting to see who takes the lead role and who anchors midfield. Both will instinctively want to attack.
"I feel Stevie should be playing further forward, closer to Wayne, but I know Emile Heskey will do a good job if he partners Wayne.
"I played for many years with Emile for England and Liverpool and know how important he is to the team, how he brings the best out of others.
“I'll never forget the 5-1 in Munich when he played a crucial supporting role in my hat-trick. Emile's obvious attributes are his size, strength and pace. He'll hem the American defenders in, keeping the pressure on them.”
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