Hugh Southon from ClaretandHugh has suggested that identifying the next captain for West Ham next season can be a challenge as most Premier League clubs prefer a home-grown player to take on the role.
It’s a difficult task since there doesn’t appear to be an obvious candidate with strong leadership qualities within the team. Initially, Hugh Southon considered Jarrod Bowen for the role, but as a winger, he may not be in the ideal position to take on the responsibility, and he’s not known for his vocal leadership.
If only Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio were a bit younger, one of them could have been a suitable candidate to take over the captain’s armband, but they are both in their early thirties, ruling them out of the equation. None of the summer signings seem like a viable option, and it might be too early for them anyway.
Therefore, it seems like the only option is to appoint a non-home-grown player as the next captain, and Kurt Zouma seems like a good fit as he has been excellent at the heart of the defense since his arrival from Chelsea. Simon also agrees with this choice, but Gonzo thinks Vladi Coufal, who is a “talker,” could be a good option as well.