Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has named Inter Milan captain Samir Handanovic as the player he looks up to.

Speaking to the Gazzetta dello Sport in the SportWeek insert in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the 26-year-old praised Handanovic for his soft-spoken brand of leadership as well as his ability between the posts.

Handanovic has been Inter captain ever since Mauro Icardi was stripped of the armband during the 2018-19 season.

The Slovenian has not always been the most vocal of leaders.

On the contrary, Handanovic’s calm exterior and low-key demeanour have often been noted. This puts the 38-year-old somewhat at odds with the traditional image of a captain that many hold.

Team captains are often expected to be the players shouting and getting their teammates charged up.

However, Handanovic has always gone about his work in this low-key manner. The Slovenian former Udinese man has managed to command a lot of respect in the dressing room in this way.

Even this season, when he has not been first-choice in goal since Andre Onana’s emergence, Handanovic has remained an important figure.

The Inter captain has drawn praise for how he’s helped Onana settle in and kept things stable behind the scenes.

Empoli Keeper Vicario: Inter Captain Handanovic My Idol

Vicario was asked which keepers he rates the most in Serie A. He replied, “In Serie A, there are two above all – Maignan and Handanovic.”

“They are exceptional communicators and ‘gesturers,'” he continued. “Two leaders.”

“Samir, my idol, is a silent communicator, if you’ll excuse an oxymoron,” the 26-year-old said.

Vicario elaborated about Handanovic that “He only communicates with his body language. But that’s enough for his teammates.”

Vicario also gave a hint about his future. The Empoli keeper has been linked as Inter’s top target to replace Onana should the Cameroonian leave.

“After two seasons as a starter, I feel I want to be at the centre of things, playing all the matches,” he noted, suggesting he’d have no intention of taking a backup role anywhere.

“I have a taste for the taste of the pitch and I want to stay there.”