Who Deserves the Southampton Captaincy? This is the question that our regular contributor Dan ponders after the departure of Jose Fonte.

After the unfortunate news of Southampton captain Jose Fonte’s unusual transfer to West Ham United, the club are now looking for a new captain. We are lucky as fans to support a team full of experienced players, some of whom have worn the armband during Fonte’s absences. There are four players who I think could be in the running for the honour and here is an insight on whether they deserve the armband or not…

Virgil van Dijk

After signing from Celtic in September 2015, Van Dijk has been well worth the £13m that the club paid for the Dutch defender. The 25-year old has been a revelation for the team and is rare to not feature in games across all competitions. A fan’s favourite and an influential player, Virgil will definitely be welcomed as the new skipper. Furthermore, Van Dijk has worn the armband on a several occasions, in all six Europa League games and some Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup games, due to Jose Fonte being a victim of Claude Puel’s rotation policy. The only reason not to give Virgil the honour is that the chance of him leaving in the Summer is very high due to his incredible performances. After just five or six months of having Van Dijk as skipper, the club would have to find a new one all over again.

Steven Davis

For me, Steven Davis is the player who most deserves the armband. 31 years of age, Davis is full of experience. He joined Southampton in 2012 when they were promoted back to the Premier League and the midfielder has been a strong part of the club’s recent rise. Davis is also the captain for Northern Ireland so is very experienced with the role and captained Saints last season at Stoke when Fonte was suspended. A senior member of the squad and after almost five years of loyal service, he deserves the armband. The likeliness of Steven finishing his career at Saints is rather high, meaning we can enjoy two or three years of the midfielder wearing the armband.

Maya Yoshida

Yoshida is another player who has been with the club for a while and the defender has played a big part in the club’s growth on the football pitch. The Japanese international wore the armband on Wednesday night’s replay with Norwich and to be honest, I felt like he deserved to wear it. Yes, he may have made a handful of mistakes across the years but Yoshida has put in some crucial, fantastic performances, Liverpool in the semi-final for instance. Even though he’s provided good years of service and could be at the club for a few more years, I can’t see the 27-year old getting the captaincy.

James Ward-Prowse

There is little chance of Prowsey getting the armband now at just 22 years of age, however he will be in the running in the future if not now. His name has been brought about when the possible departure of Fonte has been mentioned but personally I believe it’s too early. You do have to say though that he does fit the specifications. Captain of the England U21s, been with Southampton since he was about 13, unlikely to leave in the next few years. Ward-Prowse has been playing in the first team since he was 17 and does need to make a breakthrough as appearances aren’t as frequent as they should be. A captaincy would raise eyebrows but I’m positive that he would live up to the title if given the honour.

So who do you think should be given the Captaincy now ? would you pick one of these four or would you opt for someone different ?

Vote now in our online poll using the link below and give your thoughts in the comments section.

http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/forum/188079/who-should-be-cap

Photo: Action Images

pete_boggs added 13:02 - Jan 21 Now I realise you must be getting a complimentary season ticket Nick (or you've had too many sherbets). It seems its Reed's dream to see his favourite ever wonderkid Prowsey make it as Saints captain and Senior England captain but this is a sad worrying delusion. Prowsey has nothing to offer any team whatsoever (in fact any team is better with 10 men than have him aimlessly jogging around) and it's worrying that you could even consider that he would be suitable as captain for any team above league 2 standard.

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Big_T added 13:06 - Jan 21 Steven Davis . Mr reliable is the man for me.
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SanMarco added 13:35 - Jan 21 JWP and Yoshi are not good enough to be regular starters. I see the sense in giving it to Davis but it will go to VVD for his last 20 or so games with us.
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the_saint added 14:42 - Jan 21 More worrying is puel has stated we don't need a centre back with Gardos and Stephens ready to step in either this bloke has not got a clue or he really is les reeds puppet
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vanmans added 15:05 - Jan 21 Claude Puel has insisted he is satisfied with Southampton's central defensive options and feels no urgency to sign a replacement for Jose Fonte before the end of the January transfer window. Can the last player out close the door.
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SaintBrock added 15:18 - Jan 21 There is no debate Nick, VvD is an exceptional leader who fully merits the captaincy of our club into it's uncertain future. Ward-Prowse has become an embarrassment to himself and his team mates, the sooner he is sold on to a Championship side the better. Yoshi would do it for me as well.
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pete_boggs added 15:41 - Jan 21 Sorry Nick my fault I didn't notice it was Dan that was suggesting Prowsey for captain.
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Lazz added 16:17 - Jan 21 Steven Davis He's a motorvator
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Jesus_02 added 16:27 - Jan 21 How about Les Reed... what a wonderful idea... we would only have to wait a couple of years before he left :)
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Jesus_02 added 16:28 - Jan 21 There is always Gardos
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ItchenNorth added 19:21 - Jan 21 VVD will get it and no one would argue with that. I like to see Romeu long term though as VVD is likely to be gone in the summer.
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larry12 added 19:54 - Jan 21 47% have voted for an attacking midfielder who can't shoot straight, can hardly ever score or assist and has given up even trying to do a header challenge, as Captain and inspiration for Saints fellow players. You have got to be avin a laff surely?
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heroholmes1 added 21:09 - Jan 21 Ryan Bertrand
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perazi added 22:23 - Jan 21 James Ward-Prowse as Captain???????? You're right about one thing Dan; he's not going anywhere because he isn't good enough to be in the side. Should be Davo but will probably be VVD until his departure in the summer.
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bstokesaint added 23:37 - Jan 21 Steven Davis for me is a natural leader and has been a sensation for Northern Ireland. I can see the case for VVD, but question his longetivity with the club and whether he can lead others when he's clearly a class above everyone else! As for the other two contenders Yoshi in my own opinion does seem to get the respect from his fellow players and if we can hold down a first team place, as recent performances have suggested could be in with an outside chance. I'm afraid JWP needs to improve somewhat to be in the running. I'm not as scathing as some, but he's really not pushed on since breaking into our first team. Good shout from someone as well for Romeu. That man deserves respect on the pitch.

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BoondockSaint added 02:40 - Jan 22 Les wants Jordan Henderson....he can just phone it in, just like the rest of the team has been doing.
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