The argument for - Jack Green

As England move on without Wayne Rooney there will inevitably be speculation over who the Three Lions’ next captain will be.

The circus surrounding the Manchester United striker over the past year should, however, lead to an evaluation of the national team’s leadership structure.

Electing a permanent captain puts excessive pressure on the manager to include his skipper, even if he isn’t playing well.

International football is fluid.

The current squad alone has several players – like Jake Livermore, Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse – who few would have thought of for selection just a few weeks ago.

So considering how form and injuries can so quickly and dramatically alter the make-up of a squad, it seems counter-productive to pencil someone in to lead the dressing room for the foreseeable future.

Instead, it makes sense to appoint the most experienced player in the ranks who is currently good enough to get into the side on merit.

The best choice to captain England, then, is Gary Cahill.

The Chelsea defender is the third-most capped player in the current squad – behind Joe Hart and Jermain Defoe – and has been the country’s best defender this season.

He’s an eloquent, authoritative speaker and, as a Premier League and Champions League winner who has also been to three major international tournaments, has plenty of experience to pass on to what is one of Europe’s youngest squads.

Making Cahill a core member of the side also makes sense tactically.

If Gareth Southgate continues to play three central defenders, the 31-year-old – whose club have adopted the same system – is an ideal fit.

England are a team in transition and there is no way of knowing which members of the current squad will still be in favour when the World Cup comes around.

Cahill’s place in Russia is not a given. At his age, it’s fair to assume some decline over the next few years.

But the same can be said of Joe Hart, Chris Smalling and several others who seem integral at present.

Make Cahill the captain now, and if he is no longer good enough to play for England in 18 months’ time, pick someone else.

It really shouldn’t be a big deal.

The argument against - Adam Drury

Selecting the England captain on a match-by-match basis may sound like a decent concept.

Several different players assuming leadership roles is important, and it is a positive that there are a few options Gareth Southgate can turn to.

But the policy is a recipe for resentment, finger-pointing and unnecessary angst in the squad, particularly as there is no standout option to take the armband right now.

So Southgate must select a replacement for Wayne Rooney – someone who is an ever-present in the starting XI – so that each player can become accustomed to their role in the setup.

Gary Cahill is without doubt an important member of the squad. He is a fine speaker, and presumably someone somebody like Michael Keane will turn to for advice and guidance.

But by selecting him as full-time skipper now, Gareth Southgate could well find himself hamstrung in a few months’ time.

Even if England field three centre-halves permanently from now on, the Chelsea defender’s place is not for sure.

Keane was impressive in Germany on Wednesday and John Stones suits the system perfectly.

Eric Dier, meanwhile, may vacate his midfield position to take up a place in the back three, as he does for Tottenham.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones will not drop out of contention before the World Cup, either.

So while predicting what will happen in the next 18 months is difficult, the candidates for the next captain must be restricted to those who are likelier starters in Russia.

Delle Alli, Adam Lallana and Kyle Walker fit that bill, but Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane stand out as better options.

Kane is clearly respected, though there are obvious concerns over lumbering him with such an official position, particularly as he struggled under pressure in France last summer.

Henderson, though, sets the standard in terms of professionalism and, amid a dearth of midfield options, will naturally take his place in the centre of this young, exciting team.

The 26-year-old will not be suffering from harrowing flashbacks to Nice come the World Cup, either.

He was left out of all but one of the Euro 2016 matches – a factor worth considering.

Considering his age and profile – and the fact that he captains one of the country’s biggest clubs – Henderson naturally reflects this side and is the best candidate to succeed Rooney as full-time skipper.

Who do think should be the next England captain? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or in the comments section below and we will continue the debate.