Newcastle have just announced Jamaal Lascelles has been appointed Newcastle United’s captain for next season.
Jamaal is still only 22, but showed leadership last season at half time – when it really mattered – in the disaster at Southampton, when he confronted more experienced players about what it means to play for Newcastle.
Jamaal will be a popular choice among Newcastle fans – because he has the passion, talent, guts and leadership to become a great Newcastle skipper.
Jamaal Lascelles – Newcastle United captain
This is the announcement Newcastle have just made on the web-site:
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Jamaal Lascelles has been appointed Newcastle United’s captain for the 2016/2017 season.
The 22-year-old defender wore the armband for all five of the Magpies’ pre-season friendlies and will now lead the Club into their Sky Bet Championship campaign, which kicks off at Fulham on Friday night.
Lascelles joined United in the summer of 2014 from Nottingham Forest, where he had come through the youth set-up to start his career.
He returned to the City Ground immediately, spending the entire 2014/15 season on loan at his former club to aid his development.
The center-back became a regular in the Newcastle side during the second half of last term, particularly following the arrival of manager Rafa Benitez, and has made 21 appearances for the Club to date, scoring two goals.
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This is what Lascelles said about his appointment as skipper:
“It’s an unbelievable feeling for a manager like Rafa Benitez to give me the captain’s armband at a club like this.”
“It is a lot of responsibility for a young player but I will always give my all because I want what is best for the team and the Club.”
“It is such a proud moment for me and the biggest in my career so far.”
“It is nice for someone to show that much trust in you, and I want to repay the manager’s faith by leading this team back into the Premier League.”
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez added:
“We have a few players now in the squad who have the character to be captain, but Jamaal has proven himself to be a leader and a big personality in the dressing room and on the pitch.”
“At the end of last season he really developed as a character and a man.”
“I am pleased that Jamaal will be our captain, but I have also said to other players that they must show their character, strength and leadership qualities to support the team.”
We’ll just add to what Rafa says there – Jamaal has grown enormously at Newcastle since the Spanish manager arrived on Tyneside just over four months ago.
Jamaal could well become a top England center-back in the future under the careful guidance and excellent coaching of Rafa.
While this appointment was expected, it’s nevertheless an excellent choice by Newcastle’s world-class manager Rafa Benitez.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
43 comments so far
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:34 AM
Comment #41I hope we go for a proper out and out winger with pace and trickery. And then a striker with pace that can also play on the wings. Versatility is something Rafa likes so it wouldn’t surprise me if that is what we’re after.
emperor
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:51 AM
Comment #42Not sure about lascelles as captain. makes it seem like hes a guaranteed starter which isnt right considering we now have 4 centrebacks. who should all be competing with each other.
Anyway whos the new #9
c-dog
Aug 4, 2016 at 1:21 PM
Comment #43Looks like he could be a top quality center half. Best prospect at the club by a country mile.
Just to throw some pessimism in there(as this is Mike Ashley’s NUFC), he’ll be sold in the next 1 or 2 years for top $.