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The five most iconic captains of the Premier League era: Keane, Gerrard...

Roy Keane angry at the linesman

Harry Maguire has been accused of lacking the type of leadership needed to take Manchester United forward as captain.

That's if you listen to his former team-mate Ahmed Elmohamady. The pair played together at Hull City for three seasons and according to the Egyptian, he is not fit to captain the Red Devils.

Maguire has received constant criticism for his below-par performances this season and he added to his troubled season on the weekend against Tottenham.
The defender - who was appointed Manchester United captain in January 2020 - scored an own goal to give Spurs an equaliser at Old Trafford.

Luckily for Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo spared his blushes and scored a late winner to keep United in the hunt for an unlikely top four finish.

However, Elmohamady believes Maguire can't handle the 'pressure' of being captain of Manchester United and said the club should appoint Ronaldo as his successor next season.

"Harry was with me in Hull City and, in my opinion, he doesn't have the level to be the Manchester United captain," Elmohamady said.

"Man Utd need a player with a strong personality and I hope that the next manager will give the captaincy to Ronaldo if he stays. Ronaldo can handle this responsibility and pressure; however, Maguire can't handle this pressure.

"So I think that the pressure he has by wearing the captain's armband is affecting his performances. Maguire performed really well with Leicester, a team that competes to be in the top six of the Premier League and maybe this is his level. He doesn't have the level to play for the biggest team in the history of England."

In response to Elmohamady's comments, Planet Sport has decided to look at five Premier League captains who he could never make such comments about.

Roy Keane

Roy Keane, Premier League, Manchester United

Undoubtedly one of the best captains of all-time if not the best. Roy Keane was a leader of men on and off the field.

The Irishman was not a player to be messed with by the opposition.

Highlight reels include a punch thrown at Alan Shearer, THAT tackle on Alf-Inge Haland and a clash with Patrick Vieira in the Highbury tunnel.

After signing from Nottingham Forest in 1992 for a then-British record fee, the midfielder would become captain in 1997 and remained in the role until his departure in 2005.
Keane - who left the club following a fallout with Sir Alex Ferguson - won seven league titles at United.

Gary Neville has claimed Keane is the most inspirational player he ever trained and played alongside.

John Terry

A true Premier League legend.

John Terry was not only one of the best defenders in recent years but also one of the most decorated captains in English soccer.

Coming through the Chelsea ranks, Terry would become a first-team regular by the age of 20 alongside Marcel Desailly.

After being taken over by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic in 2003, the Hollywood signings started from the top with Jose Mourinho coming in as manager.

Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, and, Joe Cole were just some of the names to come through the door to play with the likes of Frank Lampard and Terry.

JT left it all on the pitch and would run through a brick wall to ensure he rallied his Blues' side to victory - and more importantly a clean sheet. 

Yes, he may have lifted the Champions League trophy in his full kit despite not playing a single minute.

And yes, he requested to be subbed off with a guard of honour in the 26th minute of his final game as a Chelsea player - the same number as his shirt number - at the approval of David Moyes. 

But nobody can deny his brilliance as a player and as a captain, he won five Premier League titles.

Vincent Kompany

Much like Terry, Vincent Kompany played a pivotal role in transforming a side that was looking to compete with Europe's elite.

Following Manchester City's takeover by Sheikh Mansour, a heavy investment soon followed and much was wasted on the likes of Robinho, Elano, and Jack Rodwell.

However, one player worth every penny was Kompany. Signing for £6million in 2008, the Belgian was a bargain to say the very least and soon became a fans favourite. There are some things money can't buy and that is leadership.

An all-round nice guy, Kompany was perhaps a polar opposite to Keane in the changing rooms but on the pitch, just as ruthless.

With four Premier League titles to his name along with multiple domestic cup trophies and a title-winning goal against Leicester in 2019, Kompany is, without doubt, one of the best captains of the Premier League era.

Steven Gerrard

Despite never actually winning the Premier League with Liverpool, Steven Gerrard cemented his legacy as an icon.

Gerrard was cruelly denied a domestic league title in 203/14, and a slip from the midfielder against Chelsea, contributed to them agonisingly missing out to Man City.
Arguably the best Premier League captain and player to have never won the league title, Gerrard shows that it's not just about titles and accolades that define a great leader.

A one-man club and a Liverpool legend, Gerrard stuck by his boyhood club through thick and thin even when he was offered the chance to play elsewhere at some of Europe's elite, including Real Madrid and Chelsea.

When you think of Istanbul in soccer terms, there is only one name that comes to mind...

Patrick Vieira

Taking over from Tony Adams as Arsenal captain, Patrick Vieira proved to be the perfect replacement.

Adams could have quite easily made this list but it is his predecessor's accomplishments that forces the defender to miss out.

Vieira remains the only captain to have ever led a team through an entire season without defeat in the league.

Arsenal's 'Invincibles' will be remembered forever in Premier League history for their dominance in the 2003/04 season.
Vieira played a huge part in this impressive side with his dominant and gutsy performances in the heart of midfield.
Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Vieira would often bring the game to his opponents.

The Frenchman's fierce rivalry with Keane proved how much he was able to go toe-to-toe with some of the league's toughest.

Vieira left the club having won the Premier League on three occasions and one title triumph was as being captain.

Read more: Will Mo Salah join this list of six players to have won the PFA Player of the Year award twice?

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