The answer to whether or not Aaron Ramsey can play at the top level in two games a week is 'probably not'.
That is the view of Wales coach Rob Page who says, despite the Nice star's age, that he would pay to watch the former Rangers flop train as he handed him the honour of being captain for his country. Ramsey takes over as squad leader from retired Wales hero Gareth Bale who said goodbye to his playing career earlier this year. The 32-year-old now has the armband as Page's men get set for a EURO 2024 qualifying campaign off the back of being at the World Cup in Qatar for the first time in over half a century.
The ex-Ibrox man, whose spell ended in disaster in Glasgow, is playing his football with Nice in Ligue 1 but has had injury issues to contend with, those of which plagued his time under Gio Van Bronckhorst at Rangers. Yet Page has made the call to give Ramsey the honour and says he would still 'pay to watch him train' despite questioning whether the midfielder can still be at the top level.
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Page said: "It's the right thing to give him the armband, he deserves it. He's been through a lot for Wales over the years, the important goals he's scored for us. Aaron is going to lead us now, he's been part of this group since day one.
"He's been on the phone to us every other day. He constantly wants to challenge things and asks how we can make things better.
"He's really enjoying the role and has embraced every minute so far of being the captain. He was really appreciative of it, it means the world to him.
"He was in France at the time with his wife when I broke the news to him and he was elated, and he sent me a lovely message afterwards saying how proud he was for him and his family. That's why I know he's going to step up to the plate and absolutely deliver.
"Can he play at the top, top level, two consecutive games in a week? Probably not, we will have to manage that. He will put himself forward to do that but as a manager I'm paid to make these decisions and I'll make decisions that are right for the group.
"But with his quality, I've said this in the past, I would pay to watch him train. He's incredible and while he is still playing top football he's got a lot to give us and we are going to hang onto him for as long as we can."
In a social media post Ramsey said he was "really honoured to be chosen to be captain of Wales".
He added: "It's an incredibly proud day for me and my family. Really excited with that the future holds and can't wait for the new campaign to start."
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