Inaugural Adelaide United captain Aurelio Vidmar identifies his two candidates to take Reds armband
Inaugural Adelaide United captain Aurelio Vidmar has identified the two Reds he believes should be frontrunners to take over as skipper following Isaias’ exit. Have your say in our poll.
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Adelaide United’s inaugural captain says winger Craig Goodwin and defender Michael Jakobsen should be the frontrunners to take over as Reds skipper.
Aurelio Vidmar donned the armband in the club’s maiden National Soccer League season and led it out at Hindmarsh Stadium for its first game against Brisbane Strikers in 2003.
The 44-cap Socceroo said the departure of inspirational leader Isaias had created a hole in the Reds’ midfield and the difficult task of finding a new on-field general.
But Vidmar said SA-born star Goodwin and Danish centre back Jakobsen had the qualities to guide United forward under new coach Gertjan Verbeek.
“They’ve got a lot of experience and they’ve been through good and bad times in their careers, so they’ve learned a lot,” said Vidmar, who later coached Adelaide from 2007-10.
“They know how the dressing room works and they’ve got the respect of the playing group.
“You need someone who’s going to be there on coal face all the time, especially on the pitch.
“Also being among the better players week-in-week-out and setting that example on the training pitch which leads on to game day is important.”
Spanish-born Isaias, United’s first foreign captain, played every minute of the march to last season’s A-League preliminary final and FFA Cup triumph.
Vidmar praised the linchpin’s ability to steer his teammates on the pitch and act as a conduit between players and coaching staff off it.
He said his appointment of ex-Reds wideman Travis Dodd as skipper 12 years ago proved similarly influential in his team’s runs to Asian Champions League and A-League deciders.
“Throughout the years at Adelaide United we’ve had different types of captains,” said Vidmar, who spent five months as United’s director of football last campaign.
“Travis at the beginning was not as vocal, but when he said something it made sense.
“He also grew into that role as well … and at the end, Travis was fantastic.
“It depends on what the new coach wants.
“But it’s a huge honour being the captain of any club and there’s a whole heap of responsibility that needs to be taken.”
Here is our shortlist of candidates to become Adelaide United’s sixth full-time skipper:
JORDAN ELSEY
A member of last season’s leadership group, the centre back never got the chance to wear the armband but would be a strong contender to inherit it.
The SA-born talent had spent his entire professional career with the Reds, racking up 76 games in five campaigns, and was a natural on-field organiser.
Elsey, 25, had also shown character in overcoming the adversity of two serious knee injuries and would be a popular choice among supporters.
CRAIG GOODWIN
The winger excelled in his first season back at United following his two-year stint in the Netherlands, scoring 10 goals and grabbing a league-high nine assists.
Goodwin’s outstanding form earned him a Socceroos recall and helped him emerge as a leader as the campaign progressed, despite previously being a more reserved character in the group.
The captaincy might be a sweetener to retain one of the club’s top performers, given a host of Asian and European sides are reportedly keen to secure the 27-year-old’s services.
VINCE LIA
United’s most experienced player brought up his 250th A-League game last summer and was rewarded with a new one-year deal after again demonstrating his quality and versatility.
Lia, 34, had his game time limited by Isaias’ brilliance, but should see more starts this season in his preferred holding midfield berth.
A hugely respected figure in the game with the maturity to handle the responsibility of the armband and demand the highest standards of those around him.
PAUL IZZO
The Campbelltown City product had been fixture in the Adelaide starting XI since returning to his hometown club two seasons ago and shone as an ever-present last campaign.
Goalkeepers had historically divided opinion as captains, but Eugene Galekovic dispelled those concerns when he led the Reds to three major trophies as their longest-serving skipper.
Ex-Australian youth custodian Izzo was a vocal presence on the pitch and a big personality in the dressing room.
MICHAEL JAKOBSEN
Calm and assured, the five-cap Danish international was a model of consistency at the heart of defence in his debut season with Adelaide.
Jakobsen previously served as skipper at his former club Melbourne City and the experience showed in his cool head in high-pressure situations.
The 33-year-old stopper was a hardworking and committed performer, who set a strong example for his colleagues, on and off the field.
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