WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO (July 11, 2006)-Following their devastating penalty shoot out loss to Portugal in the World Cup, the English National Team lost its captain as David Beckham announced his resignation from the post after five and a half years. With one of the most prestigious positions in world soccer vacant, Pinnacle Sportsbook today announced odds on who'll be awarded the captain's armband for the English National Team by new coach Steve McClaren.
The largest sports betting site on the Internet, Pinnacle Sportsbook has created odds on several national team members succeeding Beckham as England's captain. Current skipper of two-time Premiership champions Chelsea, John Terry has emerged as an overwhelming favorite to assume the captaincy at 1/4 odds (i.e., win $1 for every $4 bet). Pinnacle Sportsbook lists talented midfielder and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard with the second best odds to become the next British national team captain at 5/1 followed by Chelsea's Frank Lampard at 16/1.
"When McClaren selects the new captain prior to September's scheduled friendly match, it will be no surprise when John Terry is assigned the highest honor in English soccer," said Simon Noble of Pinnacle Sportsbook. "Terry has not only become one of the best defenders in the world, but has also exhibited excellent leadership skills guiding Chelsea to two Premiership titles. At only 25, appointing Terry as captain now could provide stability to the national team for the European Championships and World Cup in South Africa in four years time."
Other than the three favorites, Pinnacle Sportsbook has installed a number of English players as long shots to succeed Beckham. Bayern Munich midfielder, Owen Hargreaves is a 50/1 underdog to be named English captain. Despite earning a red card in the Portugal loss, 20-year-old Manchester United striker and national talisman Wayne Rooney is 66/1 to assume the captaincy along with fellow striker Michael Owen and defensive stalwart Rio Ferdinand. Meanwhile, national team goalie Paul Robinson has been installed at 90/1 with Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon and Jamie Carragher all listed as 100/1 long shots. Having never played a Premiership match and appearing in only one international game, 17-year-old Theo Walcott has been listed with the longest odds at 250/1 to become the next captain of the National Team.
For a complete list of odds, please visit Pinnacle Sportsbook.
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