Maybe they've come out publically because he is, in theory when he actually appears our captain?

I think I prefer this stance of ours to what I recall was the consequences for Gallas or the consequences when Sol (though I can't remember if he was our on the pitch captain) in the 2-3 defeat to West Ham.

Most would jump at the chance to a jolly-up Stateside so it's possible there's a lot more to this.