England will be successful at the 2012 Euros only if they build their side around Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, according to Dutch legend Edgar Davids, with the Merseyside legend being named skipper for his country as well as his club last week.

With the controversy surrounding the captaincy situation, Roy Hodgson clearly felt it was easier to announce who would lead the side to the Euros as soon as he announced the squad that would travel to Poland and the Ukraine.

And after saying that Gerrard, who has been a regular member of the England line up when injuries haven't affected him since making his debut in 2000, was capable of leading the squad, Davids believes the Liverpool man has what it takes to give the Three Lions glory.

"The important thing for me is that Hodgson has named Gerrard as the new captain," Davids told the Daily Mirror. "I think Gerrard is amazing and can do a great job.

Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has what it takes to lead England to glory, according to Davids.

"I think you have to play to his strengths and build the whole team around him. He can drive the England team like no other player.

"Gerrard is passionate and he leads from the front. At times he has lifted Liverpool to great wins almost single-handedly.

"People say he can't play with Frank Lampard but that's nonsense. Great players will always be able to play with other great players.

"It's up to Hodgson to fix it."

Gerrard has struggled to find game time for Liverpool in the face of injury this season, but the midfielder is looking fit and ready to participate in one of England's toughest tournaments to date.

A late changeover in manager, coupled with John Terry's impending racism charges, have made England appear far less than favourites to take out their first Euro trophy, particularly with the stunning displays put in by the likes of Germany and Spain in the lead up.

But the underdog tag could be a blessing in disguise for the Three Lions, who will be hoping that they can repeat the heroics of the likes of Chelsea in the Champions League, who used the siege mentality to their advantage in the tournament.

Germany Poland Ukraine