PERHAPS the most incisive comment during the debate as to who should be Fabio Capello's on-field lieutenant for England came from the mouth of Joe Cole.

When asked earlier this week who should lead England during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, the Chelsea midfielder initially stressed that handing the captaincy to John Terry or Rio Ferdinand would both be "the right decision".

As fence-sitting goes, it was an admirable effort and typical of the modern day footballer who, as a youngster coming through the Academy system, is given training on how to say as little as possible when talking to the media. Clearly, neither Terry nor Ferdinand – or, for that matter, Capello – would be offended by such a neutral opinion.

It was, however, when Cole was then asked to expand on the subject that he succinctly managed to sum up the key aspect of captaincy – namely, that he is only really needed when things are going wrong.

Which brings us neatly on to Capello's decision yesterday to opt for Terry ahead of Ferdinand as the man who should lead out England tonight at Wembley against the Czech Republic for the final warm-up game before the qualifiers get underway next month.

The England manager had been expected to opt for the Manchester United defender who has instead been named vice captain.

Terry, who was told the news along with the rest of the squad after training, was understandably elated and immediately vowed to put his past experience as captain to good use by letting actions speak louder than words.

He said: "Maybe in the past there has been talk about winning things even before we have got there. I have certainly learnt from before, talking about 'I want to win the Euros' and things like that.

"Let us just get our heads down to the business of qualifying for Africa and the World Cup in two years time."

On explaining the thinking behind his decision yesterday, Capello spoke glowingly about how Terry's "big personality" had played a part – suggesting that the manner in which the Chelsea defender dealt with his own personal hell last May had been the major factor.

It was Terry, of course, who missed what would have been the deciding penalty in the shoot-out at the end of the truly gripping Champions League final against Manchester United.

The tears that followed on the sodden Moscow turf may have done him few favours, smacking more of self-indulgence than recognising the disappointment felt by everyone, fan and player alike, sporting the blue of Chelsea that night.

But what was impressive – and must surely have been a factor in Capello confirming Terry as his permanent captain – was what happened once he had returned from the Russian capital. Some individuals would have wilted and tried to hide after what happened in Moscow, their careers taking a nose-dive due to haunting memories of missing out on what, for a professional footballer, is the ultimate accolade – scoring the goal that wins a Champions League final.

Terry, crucially, didn't.

Just a week after that lowest of lows, he was back in action and leading England out at Wembley for a friendly against the United States.

It was the only chance to stake a claim for the armband he had worn with pride during Steve McClaren's ill-fated stint – or should that be, with due reference to the former England manager's comical interview last week with Dutch TV, 'scchtinct'. And, boy, did he deliver with a truly inspirational display at the heart of the defence that also included a goal.

Terry certainly believes this resilience and determination played a part in him holding on to the armband. He said yesterday: "It showed my character to the manager.

"To bounce back the way I did after that huge disappointment showed what kind of person I am. Maybe that persuaded him.

"I don't know if it did but it was a big boost to get the captain's armband against the United States.

"I went on the pitch, played well and scored the goal. It helped to relieve the pressure a small amount for me and now I just want to get on with the job."

Capello's decision will not have entirely been made on the basis of what happened during one week at the end of last season.

Clearly, he felt the Chelsea man's character was better suited to the role than Ferdinand or Steven Gerrard, the latter having seemed subdued by the armband against Switzerland last February.

But, surely, the manner in which Terry stuck out his chest at a time of personal adversity will have helped persuade Capello to turn to the Chelsea man once again as English football begins the task of rebuilding its battered reputation on the world stage.