Last week, Eric Dier became the second-youngest captain in the history of the England national team and the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder certainly didn't disappoint - leading the Three Lions to impressive if rather unspectacular draws against Germany and Brazil.

But for the World Cup in Russia next summer, the 23-year-old faces sizeable competition to hold onto the armband from a variety of candidates, not least including his regular engine room partner Jordan Henderson.

We look at the key reasons for and against making Henderson the permanent skipper next summer.

Pros - Captaincy experience & at the heart of the action

No member of the current England squad has worn the armband at club level as frequently as Henderson, who has held down the captaincy at Liverpool since news of Steven Gerrard's plans to go to the MLS first emerged towards the end of 2014. He's served as England skipper on four occasions as well, and appears set to be made vice captain for the coming World Cup at the very least.

That's perhaps because, as a tough-tackling central midfielder, the 27-year-old is always somewhere near the heart of the action. He'll always be close to the referee's ear, the whole team will be able to hear his instructions and he'll have a circumferential view of the game.

Likewise, in terms of grit, commitment and determination, Henderson can't be faulted.

Cons - Questionable effectiveness, highlights England's flaws and not guaranteed to start

There's a curious irony in giving the armband to a player who arguably highlights England's biggest flaws - particularly a lack of craft and creativity in central midfield. Perhaps that shouldn't significantly affect Southgate's thinking but if he wants his captaincy pick to make a statement about the Three Lions' ambitions, selecting Henderson would be a rather negative one.

Accordingly, it's not even clear whether the 27-year-old will actually make England's strongest XI next summer.

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Harry Winks and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have both made strong cases for themselves and with Dier representing a rival holding man, Henderson may find himself squeezed out by the time the World Cup comes around.

On top of that, not everybody has been convinced by Henderson's leadership qualities at Anfield; he certainly lacks the inspirational stature of his many predecessors, including Gerrard, and seems to struggle to galvanise his troops when struggling for form himself.

So, would you make Henderson England's World Cup captain? Let us know by voting below...

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