Who do you want for captain?
James Maddison is currently managing a minor/recurring hip issue in pre-season ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. This follows his major ACL problems last season. He suffered a partial ACL tear in May 2025 (Europa League semi-final vs Bodo/Glimt), then a full rupture of the same (right) knee in an August 2025 pre-season friendly vs Newcastle in South Korea.
He had surgery shortly after, missed most of the 2025/26 season, which saw him out for roughly 9 months or around 375 days from competitive action…
Other choices might include
Micky van de Ven: The standout candidate for many. He is a regular starter, already part of the leadership group (and has worn the armband), and is close to agreeing a new long-term contract.
At 25, he offers longevity, defensive authority, and the kind of consistent on-pitch reliability that former Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld has highlighted as essential. De Zerbi and the club appear keen to build around him.
