Germany vs England team news: Chelsea defender Gary Cahill to captain Three Lions in Berlin

Captain Cahill: The Chelsea defender will lead England out at the Olympiastadion
Julian Finney/Getty Images
James Benge26 March 2016

Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill will captain England against Germany, the FA has confirmed.

Cahill has served as vice-captain since Roy Hodgson named Wayne Rooney as Steven Gerrard’s replacement in 2014.

The 30-year-old captained his country for the first time in October of last year, leading his side to a 2-0 home victory over Estonia.

With Rooney missing the friendly fixtures away to Germany and at home to the Netherlands with an ongoing knee injury, and as Joe Hart strained his calf muscle in the Manchester derby, Cahill could be called upon to lead England out in both matches.

Roy Hodgson is keen to rotate his squad throughout the two matches but the absence of both Rooney and Hart leaves England with a shortfall of experienced internationals. Aside from Cahill James Milner and Theo Walcott are the only players in the squad with over 40 caps.

Speaking after he was first given the armband in October Cahill said: “It is a great honour, a dream come true. Since the boss gave me the vice-captain role I've enjoyed that, but waiting and hoping obviously to at some stage lead the team out.

“I know I've had the armband once or twice when Wayne has come off the pitch, but to lead the team out will be something incredible for myself.”

Hodgson’s continual support of Cahill’s role as vice-captain comes as a boost for a player who struggled for regular first-team football at Chelsea until Kurt Zouma’s injury earlier in the year.

Chris Smalling and John Stones are likely to battle it out for a place alongside Cahill in the starting lineup for Sunday’s clash in Berlin, with both keen to make their case in an area where England are not overburdened with options.

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