One of the main reasons why Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United has enjoyed recent success and results has been down to the manager’s dedication to instilling a positive culture at the club.

Since 2021, the influx of likeable, charismatic and hard-working players to join the club has been staggering, and overall squad unity looks to be at an all time high.

It’s reflected in Howe’s choice of captains and de-facto leaders: Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles are a top trio for the rest of the squad to follow, with Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy altogether comprising the ‘leadership’ group.

But after a big departure this past summer, there’s been a vacancy for a new vice captain to be appointed, and a number of players have emerged as candidates to assume the role.

Big names listed as potential vice-captain options

According to The Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle are set to select another vice captain on Friday, with the players holding a vote as to who will replace Callum Wilson in Howe’s trusted leadership circle.

Each player gets to pick three of his teammates to nominate for the position, ranked 1-3 in terms of preference, with the players who receives the most backing becoming the newest vice captain.

And the current ‘favourites’ to earn the nod of his teammates are Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Nick Pope and Sandro Tonali.

Schar makes perfect sense: a rock at the back who consistently plays alongside Trippier and Burn, his longevity on Tyneside will also do him a lot of favours here.

Joelinton meanwhile is also an excellent choice: we’ve seen how close he is with club captain and compatriot Bruno Guimaraes, and looks to be as committed as anyone to Newcastle United.

Nick Pope is one of the gaffer’s most trusted players ever since his arrival from Burnley, and having just passed 100 appearances for the club, it seems like a fitting time to appoint him to the position of vice captain.

Of all the names Hope listed, Tonali seems like a slight outsider. The youngest of the four players, he’s certainly a future captain in the making, and few can deny how fiercely he fights for the badge every time he steps on the pitch.