Rooney 'best in world,' says Gerrard

Latest England captain also keen to point out that one man alone cannot win World Cup

(AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

First the John Terry/Wayne Bridge imbroglio; then the fleeting fear that Wayne Rooney's knee might have put him out of tonight's friendly with Egypt. Amid all this commotion, Steven Gerrard's ascent to the captaincy of the side – one he may assume this summer if the state of Rio Ferdinand's back is no better – has almost been forgotten and it was with a grimace as well as a grin that he fired back a sharp riposte when it was put to him yesterday that the nation would be "in mourning" if Rooney sustained an injury now.

"What does that say about the rest of us? Are we all crap, then?" Gerrard joshed, before articulating the view that, on current form, his fellow Merseysider was "the best player in the world".

Don't let anyone be in any doubt that John Terry has meekly accepted Fabio Capello's decision to depose him, so delivering Gerrard to the helm. When the squad processed out on to the London Colney training pitches yesterday Gerrard was at the front by a short head – with Terry right on his shoulder. But the Liverpool captain, whose fine display in the 2-1 win over Blackburn on Sunday underlined his return to form after an indifferent season, was determined to speak up for the position he has acquired again, having lost the battle for it with Terry when Capello first arrived.

Capello said in interviews last Friday that he does not entirely understand the English fixation with the office of captain – "this thing surprised me. Usually [abroad] it is the player who is oldest or has most caps but here is different" – though Gerrard doesn't see it that way. "I don't think we make too much of it," he said. "To be captain of England is a very proud feeling. Every kid dreams of being England captain. I was no different. I don't really care about what other countries think about the captaincy. You have to earn the right to be England captain. It's disrespecting the captaincy [to get it as the oldest or most capped player]. It's massive over here, and rightly so."

Gerrard, who said Capello had spelt out in a "short and sweet" meeting on the training pitch on Monday the importance of good conduct, views tonight as an opportunity to demonstrate there is more to England than the baggage of the past month. "I think the players have a responsibility to forget about what's being written about off the field, and we focus on what we can do on the pitch. We did really well in qualification and I think Wednesday is a fantastic opportunity to show the fans and everyone around the world that we're still united, we're still one, we're still a strong team and we've got a very good chance come the summer," he said.

Minutes after the 29-year-old had spoken, Capello would underline the players' off-field responsibilities for the next three months, but Gerrard's focus precludes him even a wish to have his wife, Alex Curran, around for much of the World Cup tournament. "I don't know whether having the WAGs over there last time affected our performance. I can't tell you that," he said. "But my wife won't be there [this time]."

Pressed on this point, Gerrard demonstrated he is no ingénue in the captain's chair. "It's my decision. She's got two kids who'll be in school and it [South Africa] is a long way away," he concluded. "If we get to the semis, she deserves to come and see me... if that's all right with you."