Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he has Michael Dawson in mind to succeed Ledley King as captain at White Hart Lane.
Villas-Boas hints defender could succeed King as skipper
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed he has Michael Dawson in mind to succeed Ledley King as captain at White Hart Lane.
King announced his retirement last week to end a 14-year stint in the senior team at Spurs, where he spent his entire career.
The defender had captained Tottenham since 2005 and Villas-Boas is set to name his replacement ahead of the new season.
Opportunity
Influential midfielder Scott Parker would seem an obvious candidate for the armband but the England international could miss the start of the campaign with an Achilles injury.
His absence could open the door for 28-year-old Dawson, who Villas-Boas believes has the qualities to lead his side.
The manager, currently in the United States with Spurs on their pre-season tour, said: "There are people who represent Tottenham's past tradition and high values and that person without a doubt is Dawson.
"But it's almost more up to the group to decide than the manager. It's a difficult and sensible decision to make and I'll be consulting Ledley and Michael on it.
"There's different types of characters in the dressing room. But it will affect everybody in the dressing room who have empathy with the man going to lead them on the pitch."
Dawson, who has made almost 250 appearances for Spurs since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2005, would relish the opportunity to wear the armband.
He said: "I've been captain before when Ledley wasn't playing, But it's in the manager's hands.
"But it is certainly something I've enjoyed doing in the past and would do again."
Dawson is expected to be fit for the new season after recovering from the ankle problem which hindered his last campaign.
Even without King in contention, the defender will face competition at centre-back from Younes Kaboul, Steven Caulker and new arrival Jan Vertonghen, who joined from Ajax earlier this month.
Move on
He added: "Ledley had a fantastic career. His retirement was a sad day for everyone and he will be really missed.
"But we move on now. We are all working hard under a new manager preparing for another big season.
"There will always be competition for places which is healthy. We are all chomping at the bit to play."
