Debate: Gerrard’s Galaxy? Could The Liverpool Legend Usurp Current Captain Robbie Keane As Leader In Los Angeles?
- Updated: July 9, 2015
Steven Gerrard has finally been unveiled as a Los Angeles Galaxy player following his move from Premier League giants Liverpool to the MLS side. Hot on the heels of Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo’s transfer to New York City, soccer in North America has welcomed yet another huge name in the world of the international game. The former England captain brought an end to his illustrious time at Anfield at the end of last season after making the decision at the start of the year to follow in the footsteps of a couple of his old team-mates and sign for the Galaxy, strengthening an already intimidating looking roster at Bruce Arena’s disposal.
As well as consulting David Beckham, Gerrard has also admitted to speaking to Robbie Keane before joining the Irishman in California, having played with the current Galaxy captain at Liverpool. But the Englishman’s arrival has cast a shadow over the striker’s role as club captain. Gerrard has long been thought of as one of world football’s most influential leaders and Arena could be forgiven for wanting to have a man who led Liverpool to numerous trophies – including the Champions League – skippering the Galaxy throughout the remainder of this season.
Having made the move to Los Angeles in 2011, Keane has established himself as one of the league’s best players, scoring 74 goals in all competitions during his time in the USA and winning three MLS Cups. The Republic of Ireland international was made captain by Arena at the start of the 2013 campaign. It has been a role that Keane has taken to impressively, guiding the Galaxy to the championship title last season and continuing his prolific form in front of goal. But how will the experienced striker adapt to giving instructions to a man of Gerrard’s stature?
The reality of it is that the former England captain is professional enough to handle not being given the official tag of skipper with his new club. But the Galaxy head coach may well feel he needs to make the most of having Gerrard at the club by giving him the armband right away. While the Galaxy are unsurprisingly favourites in the BET365 MLS betting to win a record sixth title this season, Arena won’t want to take any chances and really needs to make the most of his new arrival’s attributes, none more so than his leadership.
While Gerrard doesn’t need to be wearing the armband to be a leader on the field, the Galaxy head coach is experienced enough to know the importance of a team having a clear voice out there on game day when conducting the team. This opens the door for the Liverpool legend to replace Keane as skipper. With results going well for the club so far this season, Arena may feel he can afford to let Gerrard get used to his new surroundings for the rest of this campaign before changing the captaincy at the end of this year.
Whatever the former USA head coach’s decision regarding the captaincy at the StubHub Center, Arena will just be delighted to have a player of Gerrard’s calibre now wearing a Galaxy jersey.
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