Younes Kaboul Is Ideal Choice as Tottenham Captain, but Other Leaders Are Needed

Tottenham Hotspur took their time making an official decision following Michael Dawson's departure, but the captaincy issue has been resolved.

"Younes has shown me all the values needed to be a captain," head coach Mauricio Pochettino told Tottenham's official website. "He has the character to lead this team as well as the respect of his teammates."

Tom Hevezi/Associated Press

Even accounting for a couple of years away at Portsmouth following his initial spell at White Hart Lane, Kaboul is now one of Spurs' longest-serving players (he returned in 2010). The Champions League-associated highs of his initial return were followed up by a particularly strong 2011-12 campaign, before injuries forced him to the sidelines for lengthy spells.

This year has seen Kaboul return to fitness and play regularly. Last season he deputised as captain in Dawson's own absences, and enjoyed a decent spell in the spring where his fine work ethic came to the fore.

Pochettino praised the 28-year-old's "values" as skipper in the changing room, and off the pitch he has come across as a fine representative too.

The description of Kaboul as "Club captain" appears to have been carefully chosen with the latter in mind. Past examples at Spurs and elsewhere show it is a title that pays due to reputation and past contributions as much as present footballing concerns. Something that is pertinent in this case as there are doubts as to whether Kaboul will play all that much moving forward.

Ledley King was often referred to as "Club captain" even when injuries kept him out for long spells, leaving players like Robbie Keane and latterly Dawson to lead the team on the pitch.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

While Pochettino did not use that specific term prior to the centre-back's departure last month, he appeared to indicate Dawson's role would be similarly symbolic if he stayed. "For me, Michael Dawson is here and while still here is the captain," he said, via the Daily Express' Matthew Dunn.

Elsewhere, as noted on his profile on Swansea City's official website, prior to becoming their manager, Garry Monk "handed over the captaincy to Ashley Williams, though he remained as club captain." At Norwich City last season, a similar situation occurred with Russell Martin as "Club Captain" and Sebastien Bassong as "Team Captain."

Martin would ultimately make more appearances than Bassong in 2013-14. Then-manager Chris Hughton's initial statement on Canaries.co.uk made clear the intended distinctions, though, with a clear reference to what Martin offered "off the pitch" when defining his role.

Uncredited/Associated Press

As long as Kaboul is playing, the coaching staff evidently have no qualms about him leading the side. Indeed, should he find a good level of form there, he could well "lead this team to great things in the future"—as he stated he hopes to do so, via TottenhamHotspur.com.

However, as earlier alluded to, Kaboul's form this season has been mixed. His starting spot has been earned up until now, but the recent arrival of Federico Fazio could soon put it under threat.

If Vlad Chiriches and Jan Vertonghen are expected to compete for the left-hand side of central defence, it stands to reason Fazio and Kaboul will be battling for the right to be the defence's main aerial presence—they stand at 6' 5" and 6' 3" respectively.

The Argentine has been signed for a reason. Given his chance, he could well move ahead of Kaboul in the pecking order.

Pochettino's selections of Hugo Lloris and Emmanuel Adebayor as vice-captains—noted in that order in the club's statement—appears to be a concession to this current, developing situation.

Joshua Paul/Associated Press

"Hugo and Ade will be vice-captains and both of them, along with Younes, possess tremendous experience and have all shown a great attitude and leadership," noted the Spurs boss. In the event Kaboul does not occupy a regular on-pitch leadership role, that leadership will especially need to be seen as this Spurs side attempts to define what it is about.

While playing as goalkeeper does not lend itself to getting amongst your team-mates, Lloris' cool demeanour and consistent performances have been strong enough for him to prove a fine France captain in the mind of both former and current managers, Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps (two of the country's finest leaders).

Adebayor is more of a wild card as a captain. Both because of his position as a striker, and given the mixed response to authority he has shown in the past (notably towards Roberto Mancini and Andre Villas-Boas). Pochettino has vouched for his "tremendous experience," however, something that evidently carries some weight amongst his team-mates.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Regardless of who wears the armband out of Adebayor, Kaboul and Lloris, they have all been handed a level of responsibility in guiding where this team goes under Pochettino. Be it representing Tottenham Hotspur in community activities, or taking on Partizan Belgrade and West Bromwich Albion in the coming week, they are at the forefront in ensuring the team is in safe hands.

Leadership can be a vague concept or ideal. Nonetheless, you only have to look at how key it has been in shaping the club's more successful eras—from Ron Burgess, Danny Blanchflower and Dave Mackay, right through Steve Perryman and up to King and Dawson—to see its worth.

Positively, Kaboul seems well aware of that.