England captains have been hard to come by in the build up to the World Cup with Rio Ferdinand following former skipper David Beckham on to the sidelines.
That has left the path clear for Gerrard to lead the team out when England start their campaign against the USA. This brings the Liverpool midfielder full circle having worn the captain's armband in Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland.
And despite the serious injuries to Ferdinand and Beckham this is the most experienced team England has ever had and there are natural born leaders all over the pitch.
"I am the captain, but I am surrounded by other captains," said Gerrard. Out of the 23-man squad nine of them have captained their clubs.
This is no coincidence; Capello has opted for a group of players oozing with guile and experience. The average age of the squad is just over 28 years and seven months, which is the oldest in South Africa, and is something the Italian will draw confidence from.
The combined total number of caps comes to 1,386 and that is before you take into account Ferdinand's 78 and Beckham's outfield record of 115. Providing Manchester United allow Ferdinand to return to South Africa next week the injured pair will be with the squad for the duration of the World Cup.
Fifteen of Capello's squad figured heavily during both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren's spells in charge of the national team. What is more the core of the squad has not changed since Euro 2004.
So, it is clear Gerrard is the captain but he is not the only leader.
"I'm in this position (as captain) because managers see that I'm a good captain," said Gerrard.
"They like they way I am around the place and what I do on the pitch, so I'll do things exactly the same. I feel I have the respect of the players. I'm here to give them any help they feel they need.
"But I've got so many experienced people around me. There's the manager himself, Stuart Pearce and he's been there and done it. I can lean on David Beckham and Rio's still here with us. John Terry's a big captain too.
"The squad's littered with leaders who will lead by example. I may not be a loudmouth off the pitch but if any players want to lean on me or talk to me about anything, or they want to me to go to the manager and speak on their behalf about anything, I'm not shy."
With Terry and, provided he is selected, David James behind him Gerrard also has his vice-captain, Frank Lampard alongside him in midfield and of course Wayne Rooney upfront.
Rooney captained England against Brazil last November and will undoubtedly be an England captain in the future.
Despite Terry being stripped of the captaincy back in Febuary he is still every bit of the leader on and off the pitch.
"The armband would suit him (Terry) very well because he continues to be a leader," said Capello. "it's as if he is still wearing it now."
The Chelsea captain remains resolute and focused on his role for both club and country.
"Nothing will ever change at Chelsea or with England," he said. "In the dressing room I will still give my opinion. The same on the field. I'll make my presence felt, whether I'm wearing the armband or not. I will say what needs to be said.
"Losing Rio was a blow, but that just makes it more important that I show that leadership quality, too. At every level I play, whether it is in training or on the pitch, I demand the same as the manager. That is the minimum that we should be asking of everyone. We all accept that."
That has left the path clear for Gerrard to lead the team out when England start their campaign against the USA. This brings the Liverpool midfielder full circle having worn the captain's armband in Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland.
And despite the serious injuries to Ferdinand and Beckham this is the most experienced team England has ever had and there are natural born leaders all over the pitch.
"I am the captain, but I am surrounded by other captains," said Gerrard. Out of the 23-man squad nine of them have captained their clubs.
This is no coincidence; Capello has opted for a group of players oozing with guile and experience. The average age of the squad is just over 28 years and seven months, which is the oldest in South Africa, and is something the Italian will draw confidence from.
The combined total number of caps comes to 1,386 and that is before you take into account Ferdinand's 78 and Beckham's outfield record of 115. Providing Manchester United allow Ferdinand to return to South Africa next week the injured pair will be with the squad for the duration of the World Cup.
Fifteen of Capello's squad figured heavily during both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren's spells in charge of the national team. What is more the core of the squad has not changed since Euro 2004.
So, it is clear Gerrard is the captain but he is not the only leader.
"I'm in this position (as captain) because managers see that I'm a good captain," said Gerrard.
"They like they way I am around the place and what I do on the pitch, so I'll do things exactly the same. I feel I have the respect of the players. I'm here to give them any help they feel they need.
"But I've got so many experienced people around me. There's the manager himself, Stuart Pearce and he's been there and done it. I can lean on David Beckham and Rio's still here with us. John Terry's a big captain too.
"The squad's littered with leaders who will lead by example. I may not be a loudmouth off the pitch but if any players want to lean on me or talk to me about anything, or they want to me to go to the manager and speak on their behalf about anything, I'm not shy."
With Terry and, provided he is selected, David James behind him Gerrard also has his vice-captain, Frank Lampard alongside him in midfield and of course Wayne Rooney upfront.
Rooney captained England against Brazil last November and will undoubtedly be an England captain in the future.
Despite Terry being stripped of the captaincy back in Febuary he is still every bit of the leader on and off the pitch.
"The armband would suit him (Terry) very well because he continues to be a leader," said Capello. "it's as if he is still wearing it now."
The Chelsea captain remains resolute and focused on his role for both club and country.
"Nothing will ever change at Chelsea or with England," he said. "In the dressing room I will still give my opinion. The same on the field. I'll make my presence felt, whether I'm wearing the armband or not. I will say what needs to be said.
"Losing Rio was a blow, but that just makes it more important that I show that leadership quality, too. At every level I play, whether it is in training or on the pitch, I demand the same as the manager. That is the minimum that we should be asking of everyone. We all accept that."
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