Matthias Jaissle shortlists FIVE captaincy candidates at Newcastle - Report
With Bruno Guimaraes gone and Trippier having left in the summer, Newcastle United have a captain-shaped hole they need to fill.
Matthias Jaissle has a lot of things to decide before the season opener against Liverpool. New players, who is leaving, the formation, assessing academy players, and the small matter of who the club’s captain is for the new season.
In the win against Valencia, Malick Thiaw was given the armband in the game, and with the friendly against Everton on Wednesday, he's expected to keep it for the Everton friendly on Wednesday. Jaissle has confirmed that the club will continue to operate a leadership group, as Eddie Howe did.
But with so few senior players left in the squad, and it looking unlikely the club will sign a captain, who are the realistic options being considered?
Five names in the running?
Jaissle has a call to make in the next week, with the whole squad being asked to step up around the camp.
According to The Chronicle's Lee Ryder, the current captaincy shortlist includes Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Joelinton, Fabian Schar and Yoane Wissa.
Malick Thiaw
Thiaw is the clear frontrunner, given he has already been given the armband. If that's repeated in the Everton friendly, then we'll know for sure. It’s also likely that Jaissle will be questioned on the captaincy in his unveiling press conference on Tuesday.
Dan Burn
The most logical option given his time at the club and his passion. Dan Burn will very likely be a part of the leadership group; however, due to Jaissle's play style, he is not likely to see the level of play time he did under Eddie Howe.
Joelinton
Another long-time member of the squad, Joelinton is a player who will be part of the leadership group at the club. He’s one of the few players to pre-date Howe and still be at the club. Despite reports earlier in the window, it now appears Joelinton will be staying.
Fabian Schär
Schär signed a new one-year deal at the end of last season, having spent most of the season out with an injury. Like Joelinton, he is expected to be part of the new leadership group. Schär did not feature in Jaissle’s first game due to a knock he picked up earlier in pre-season, though Schär appears to be ok, and was sent back to Newcastle early with Miley and Hall to continue to train.
Yoane Wissa
The surprise option is Yoane Wissa. According to the Chronicle, Wissa is an outsider for the captaincy due to his great rapport with the squad. Wissa is popular with the senior players, but also with the younger players who have joined. This will likely secure him a spot in the leadership group; however, it could see him take on the vice-captaincy role.
What do we think?
For us, it will likely be Malick Thiaw. Prior to the game on Saturday, he was the player we suspected would take the armband, and now he’s been given it once; that only confirms it for us.
In terms of vice-captain, again it will be a player who plays a lot and can step in when Thiaw isn’t in the squad. Wissa is probably a good shout here; given his form early on, he will be the starting striker for the club, plus he wears the 9 shirt, so the optics fit.
As for the leadership group, expect to see the usual names. Dan Burn, Botman, Miley, Barnes, etc. are all likely to be part of this wider group. If the Pierre-Emil Hojbjerg rumours come true, then he will also likely play a part.
