Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek has announced Michael Jakobsen as the Reds new skipper
Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek has revealed a veteran will captain the side this season and said replacing former skipper Isaias is a high priority before the A-League’s transfer window closes next month.
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Michael Jakobsen has been revealed as Adelaide United’s new captain by coach Gertjan Verbeek before the Reds host Newcastle Jets in the last eight of the FFA Cup at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday.
The veteran Dane is in the middle of a two-year deal and previously captained Melbourne City for the 2017/18 A-League campaign.
Jakobsen replaces Adelaide’s Spanish star Isaias who skippered the Reds from 2017 until the end of last season before signing for Qatari club Al-Wakrah.
And with less than a month remaining before the A-League’s transfer window closes on October 15, Verbeek says there is still time to add to the Reds squad claiming Isaias is the player the club needs to replace the most.
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“I’m satisfied about Jakobsen so he will stay captain for now,’’ Verbeek said revealing Curacao international Michael Maria (adductor), Carlo Armiento (quadricep) and Kusini Yengi (muscle problems) won’t play against the Jets due to injury.
“As long as Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Frenkie De Jong (Barcelona) and (Lionel) Messi (Barcelona) are not playing here you’re not satisfied.
“Australia you know, you’re not satisfied you always want to have more options, more possibilities, more quality.
“At the beginning we said Isaias needs to be replaced but it has to be possible. Until now it’s not possible.”
Verbeek will make his official Adelaide debut in front of home fans in a stadium which won’t give the Dutchman a true picture of how hostile it could become for visitors after the club announced on social media only the western stand will be open.
He said he doesn’t feel nervous just yet as the FFA Cup titleholders face their first A-League club on the 2019 knockout journey after beating Melbourne Knights (5-2) and Brisbane’s Olympic (3-2) away.
“Not now but I think what’s going on tomorrow there’s always some excitement in your body and the match is starting and then it slips away and you’re only focused on the match,’’ Verbeek said before the Reds were scheduled to train at Hindmarsh from 7pm on Monday.
“For now one training session to go, looking good and players are doing a good job, they’re all together again because the national players (Australian under 23 Reds) were away, some young players had some holiday and the last few days we trained together.”
And Verbeek wasn’t sure if recently cleared Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth would make his Reds debut saying he would make up his mind once training is done on Monday.
He cited depth as a potential problem if Adelaide loses Australian under 23 players for camps and matches in October, November and January after Riley McGree, Daniel Margush, Lachlan Brook and George Blackwood recently returned from two 1-1 friendly draws with New Zealand.
Verbeek believes Reds goalscoring FFA Cup striker, ex Croydon Kings product Al-Hassan Toure has also attracted the attention of Olyroos boss Graham Arnold.
FFA Cup quarterfinal
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets at Coopers Stadium
Kick off: 7pm
Referee: Daniel Elder