Is Bastian Schweinsteiger Germany’s Best Option to Replace Captain Philipp Lahm?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: August 4, 2014

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Following the retirement of Philipp Lahm from international duty last month, Germany are in need of a new captain. Since the 30-year-old decided to hang up his boots, there has been plenty of speculation but no final decision made by coach Joachim Low.

But speaking to Bild (subscription required), World Cup winning player and coach Franz Beckenbauer weighed in on the issue on Monday. To him, the clear choice is Bastian Schweinsteiger.

In his analysis, the Kaiser labeled Schweinsteiger a leader, one who earned a great deal of respect for his heroics in the most recent World Cup final. He said that the midfielder, who is currently vice-captain for both Bayern Munich and Germany, understands the captaincy role and has the leadership qualities that can lift an entire team.

Beckenbauer makes some very valid points. Schweinsteiger began the 2014 World Cup unfit and didn't even start until Germany's third and final group-stage match. Yet though cramping, he managed to play 109 minutes in the round of 16 and didn't miss a single minute of the tournament thereafter. In the final, per FIFA, he covered a game-high 15,339 meters.

A captain isn't necessarily always the best or fittest member of a team: The decisive factor in justifying his wearing the armband is his ability to inspire the other 10 men on the pitch.

Schweinsteiger, although great in the final, ran only some 159 meters further than teammate Thomas Mueller (who, although fatigued, seemed to handle the workload much better), and his actual productivity was at least rivaled, if not matched, by Lahm, Jerome Boateng, Andre Schurrle and Mario Goetze.



Yet it was Schweinsteiger who would have most deserved the captain's armband had he worn it.

The way he fought through the pain barrier, the way he gave every last ounce of effort was truly inspirational. It was the final, possibly his last at a World Cup. He needed to...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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