Are Captains Necessary in 2018?

It was 6:30 and I was still in the process of waking up. While my legs were churning on the stationary bike, my mind was wandering. I was listening to the Blood Red podcast when I heard Liverpool Echo reporter Neil Jones say, "I think it matters, you still look for your captain on the pitch." For the next few minutes the role of captaincy was discussed and who should fill it at Liverpool.

Even though I was intrigued by the conversation that quote stuck with me, seemingly hanging in the air. Its not the first time someone in the media has said it. It's repeated ad naseum. Yet how often do you hear players say that? It's incredibly rare. Do you imagine on the field that Roberto Firmino is looking for inspiration from Jordan Henderson or James Milner because they are the captain and vice-captain of the club? The opposite is just as likely.

If you look around England and Europe its hard to think of who the captains are at most clubs. Can you name all 20 captains of the Premier League clubs? How about 10? 5? Who is PSG's? Bayern Munich's? The fact is, captains are irrelevant in 2018. If you asked 100 fans who the captain of Real Madrid was, 90 of them would've said Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, they would've been wrong as its Sergio Ramos. How many fans think Messi is the captain of Barcelona? Most, if not all, and yet Andres Iniesta is captain.

That's because when it comes to looking to a player for inspiration, teammates look for their best players. Rafinha looked at Messi, as well as Iniesta for some inspiration. Lucas Vazguez looks at Ronaldo, as well as Ramos, when times are difficult.

In 2018, players and coaches don't want or need captains but great players and leaders. Says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, "My plan is not to find a line-up where one of our captains can be in. I make the line-up then I realise somebody has to wear the armband."

The best teams win, not the teams with the best captain. Does Pep Guardiola look at his line-up and forsake Vincent Kompany's absence because he is the club's captain? Of course not, and nor should he. He knows his players are terrific, and that many of those players are capable of an inspiring play or two that motivates the other remaining players.

Even if "bonafide captains" like Vincent Kompany (or the John Terry's of the past) were not injured, in 2018 clubs rotate their players frequently. Managers can't count on one or two captains to lead their team. Players must rest and the show must go on. Furthermore, players don't stay at clubs as long as they used to. Long gone are the days of one club players like Steven Gerrard. Rare exceptions like Gigi Buffon only serve to prove the rule.

Captains are largely ceremonial and objects for the media. They are the megaphone for the changing room and therefore best used as PR machines. After and between games reporters run to the captain as its his responsibility to jump on that grenade for his teammates.

Some of you may say captains have other roles that are important. For example, they are the player's voice to the manager, a good go-between. "They have so many questions to answer, a lot of things to talk to me about. That’s the job" says Klopp. In reality, clubs have numerous leaders and intermediaries. Managers talk to many players to gauge the pulse of their team or hear about potential grievances players may have.

Captains are also supposed to be the intermediaries between their team and the referee. But really, anyone with a level head can perform this function as stand in captains do regularly.

It is even more farcical in England as the players do not select their own captain as they do throughout much of continental Europe which empowers the captain. This is once again another reason captains in England are largely ceremonial.

Really clubs just need leaders. Players who rise up and pull younger, inexperienced players above their current level, especially when times are tough. Younger players Players on Chelsea like Andreas Christensen look not to the captain, but the leaders whether it be Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpulicueta, Eden Hazard or Cesc Fabregas.

When Manchester City are crowned champions this season, how much press will laud Vincent Kompany's role as club captain? How many fans will credit their season to Kompany's role? How many players will cite his inspiration and leadership qualities? In 2018 great players win trophies, not the armband.