Jamaal Lascelles’ excellent performance at the back has been the nucleus of Newcastle United’s effortless performances. Like last year, he has been handed the captain’s armband and has done full justice to his duty.
In a bid to motivate their leader, Newcastle United have now put him on a brand new six-year contract to fend off suitors in near future. Had there been no renewal, there still would have been three years on his contract but the Magpies didn’t take the risk as the player’s stock has risen a few levels and big clubs would definitely try to tap him up in January.
Lascelles expressed his happiness on renewing his stay at the St James Park. “I’m over the moon. I love the city, the football and the fans.
“Everything about it, I enjoy so I’m happy to be tied down for the next six years here.”
Lascelles started this season from where he left off the last campaign. He played a majestic role as the Toon stormed their way to the Premier League in style by lifting the Championship title last season.
The 23-year-old arrived at the Tyneside in 2014 and since then, has gone from strength to strength cementing a place in the starting lineup. He is also nominated for the September Premier League Player Of The Month and if he receives the award, it will boost his confidence to bring up more good performances.
At such a tender age, Lascelles has been an example of how things should be done. The defender wasn’t the first choice this season as Rafa Benitez brought Florian Lejeune from Eibar to beef up his backline. But the defender could play for just seven minutes and Lascelles had to be called.
Since then no other player has been able to dislodge him from the side and he has led the team from the back as the 23-year old managed to cement his place in the first team under Rafa Benitez.
Leadership qualities have been his main forte and with time, he has only gotten matured. Lascelles excels in all the basic quality of defending. He is sharp, has a great positional sense, can move the ball quickly to initiate an attack and has the physicality to withstand any kind of duels in a match.
So, in Lascelles, the Toon probably have one of the future stars and they should hold on to him as the player is believed to be the future of English football.
