With Kevin Nolan leaving Newcastle for West Ham earlier this month, it means that Alan Pardew has the task of naming a new captain. He went with Joey Barton against Aston Villa last season, but that seemed to have a negative effect on his game. If Pardew’s looking for someone who could lead the side for many years to come and has captaincy experience at youth levels, then Steven Taylor could be his man. However, I think there is only one candidate to be Newcastle captain next season; Fabricio Coloccini.
I was incredibly impressed with Coloccini last season. In my eyes the Argentina international more than justified his £10 million price-tag from 2008 and played just like someone who has represented his country 34 times. The Argentine oozed confidence at the back, and no doubt helps keep his fellow centre back relaxed, whether that is Taylor or Mike Williamson. To take a quote from Pardew, Coloccini is a ‘top, top player’ and has all the attributes to be a great captain for Newcastle.
At 29 years old, Coloccini is in his peak. He’s been at Newcastle for three years, so is now fully settled in English football having played two seasons in the Premier League, and he seems to be getting better and better for Newcastle. He must be one of the first names on the team sheet, and when Colo isn’t there it leaves a massive void at the back. Off the top of my head I can only think of the Bolton match (Coloccini got sent for an elbow) where the Argentine had a bit of a shocker, other than that his performances have not been far off immaculate.
Like many Newcastle players this summer, there have been murmurings of Coloccini leaving Tyneside, but the Argentine has two years left on his contract and by all accounts would like to stay even longer. The Chronicle is reporting that Coloccini told close friends he is 99% certain to stay at Newcastle, and that’s good enough for me! Colo has previously said “I am happy at Newcastle, and when I hear the fans singing my name it gives me a special feeling”, so hopefully we’ll be singing for captain Coloccini next season.
There may be some fans who think that Newcastle’s captain should be an Englishman, someone who brings guts and grit to the side. But I think that Coloccini would more than lead by example, and his calming influence at the back can spread throughout the whole team. Alan Pardew may be thinking long and hard about who he should install as his new captain, but it’s an easy decision for me; give it to Fabricio Coloccini and you can guarantee that he won’t let you down.
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