The player who must replace Jack Stephens as Southampton captain | OneFootball

Southampton are in an awful position right now. It is a position which isn't helped by their "captain" Jack Stephens. Jan Bednarek should be the captain instead.

The term "captain, leader, legend" is one which used to be thrown around in the Premier League. If we think back to the iconic captains who personify these three words - the likes of Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira and John Terry - Jack Stephens doesn't even come close to them,

In fact, it is a total insult to those three legendary captains to be mentioned in the same sentence as Stephens. Those three defined what it meant to wear the armband and Stephens threw every word of the definition out of the window.

Jan Bednarek must replace Jack Stephens as Southampton captain

So, Jack Stephens deserves to be stripped of the Southampton captaincy. As the weeks go by, it is more and more difficult to defend him - Seemingly, it's more and more difficult for him to defend anything, as well.

Jan Bednarek is much more deserving of the captain's armband. The Polish defender has stuck by Southampton through thick and thin and he definitely embodies everything the club is about. He is the most vocal player whenever he plays, making him an instant upgrade on Stephens.

Bednarek is a very likeable character. Sure, he might not be a guaranteed starter over the last few weeks due to injury, but whenever he has played, he has only a positive impact on the match.

This is a stark difference to Jack Stephens, who only seems to have a negative impact on the game. This season, Stephens has already picked up two red cards, which have set Southampton back. It also tarnishes Southampton under a bad brush, as other Premier League clubs perceive the Saints as lacking basic respect and fair play.

It would be completely shocking if Jack Stephens retained in his place in the starting lineup when Jan Bednarek returns from injury, anyway. If you aren't completely convinced by stripping Stephens of his captaincy yet - Then what good is a captain that doesn't make the team?

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