Pep Guardiola is considering a more hands-on role in selecting Manchester City’s next captain having previously left the decision to a players’ vote.
Since the retirement of Vincent Kompany in 2019, City’s club skippers David Silva, Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker have all been chosen by team-mates rather than the manager.
Though City have enjoyed success using this method, it has also created challenges with Kevin De Bruyne repeatedly overlooked while Walker departed abruptly to AC Milan in January.
With Walker unlikely to play for the club again after his loan spell in Italy and vice-captain De Bruyne leaving City after Sunday’s final game at Fulham, there is a vacancy with Guardiola deliberating whether he should make the pick to avoid any risk of factions in the group.