Newcastle United's versatile Cameroon midfielder Geremi is relishing the responsibility of captaincy since manager Sam Allardyce handed him the skipper's armband.
Midfielder Geremi's move from Chelsea to Newcastle United in the summer is working out fine for the player - who has also taken enthusiastically to captaining the Magpies.
Manager Sam Allardyce also joined the Toon in the summer, after a lengthy spell at Bolton Wanderers, and quickly installed his new recruit Geremi as club captain following Scott Parker's departure for West Ham United.
Now Geremi has been given the nickname Mandela bu his team-mates who are said to be happy with his on-field leadership.
"I take my responsibilities at this club very seriously and even more so now that the manager has made me captain," he told the Daily Express.
The Cameroon international who also played for Real Madrid and Middlesbrough before joining Chelsea, added: "I realise I need to be a leader and help the other players where I can, so I am very proud to have that role.
"I have the nickname Mandela - maybe it is because I am a bit of a diplomat. I have a lot of experience also, so that could be the reason.
"I am the type of person who sees both sides of the story, so perhaps that is why they have given me this name."
He added: "I just try to be the man - the man who other players can lean on. There is pressure but I like it.
"Maybe it is because of my character that they gave me these honours."
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Newcastle Captaincy Suits Geremi
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