Robbie Savage has named Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles in his alternative Team of the Year and is surprised that he hasn’t yet earned a senior England cap.
The 24-year-old centre-back has been a key player for the Magpies this term and his powerhouse displays have helped keeper them in the Premier League.
Savage has compiled together a best XI of the season without using any players from the top-six clubs and included the Newcastle captain.
England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed he will name his 23-man England squad next week ahead of the World Cup and it would be a surprise to see Lascelles sneak in the eleventh hour.
“Always stands up to be counted when the pressure’s intense. I’m surprised England haven’t come calling yet,” Savage wrote in the Daily Mirror.
OPINION
Lascelles has definitely been one of the outstanding individuals at St James’ Park this season and his leadership has been a major factor in the team’s success. The no-nonsense centre-back is the main organiser of Rafael Benitez’s side and helps to keep them well focused. He has now managed to prove himself as a top-class defender in the Premier League and it’s vital that he is kept at the core of the squad for the future. The Daily Mirror reports that Everton are lining up a £25million move for Lascelles in the summer, while Chelsea and Tottenham are also believed to be keen. It is totally understandable as to why the defender would be so in-demand going into the summer, but Newcastle must avoid losing their commander in chief at all costs. They would find it extremely difficult to find a replacement for him and his partnership alongside Florian Lejeune at centre-back this season should be allowed to continue to grow.
