In Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle United are finally starting to have a skipper the fans can connect with again.
Fabricio Coloccini seemingly gave up years before he actually left the club and few would doubt Lascelles’ importance in helping create more of a team spirit at St. James’ Park. Still, does he actually get into the team?
Undoubtedly a solid defender, as he proved towards the back end of the Premier League campaign, the 23-year-old formed a rather strong partnership with Ciaran Clark last term.
However, the former Nottingham Forest man is blighted by inconsistency and the arrival of Florian Lejune has given Rafa Benitez a selection headache. The Frenchman has seriously impressed during pre-season and, with Clark a vital part of the promotion cause last season, perhaps the former Eibar man will be handed a starting berth.
There’s also the small matter of a certain Chancel Mbemba, who endured a difficult season last term, though was another whose performances in the Premier League were fairly decent, even under Steve McClaren.
So, with that in mind, would you start Lascelles against Tottenham? Pending fitness of course, though Benitez did recently reveal he hoped his skipper would be available.
