There was an article earlier today in Sky Sports that West Ham had made a £20M initial offer for Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles, rising potentially to £25M.
But today when interviewed in the Chronicle Rafa said he had not heard of any offer for his captain and took the opportunity to say that he is not for sale.
Other clubs have been linked this summer with potentially making a move for the center-back with Chelsea being one of them.
So it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if bids do come in for him but Lascelles is a key player and leader for us – one reason he is the captain – and a very good one too.
Rafa Benitez and Jamaal Lascelles – don’t leave me now
This is what Rafa has said about the situation as reported in the Chronicle:
“He was a key player for us last year and he has to be this year and for a long time to come in the future.”
“The reality is that we don’t want to sell Jamaal. He is a key player for us and leader. We are happy with him.”
“No (I am now aware of any bid for him).” “I saw it on TV but we are not thinking of that.”
“We are just thinking of how to improve him on the pitch.”
When we have a good player at the club, Rafa will want to keep them, and he will not put up with Mike Ashley selling one of his best players.
Rafa wants to have an outstanding team on the pitch and not a lot of money in the club’s bank account.
That, unfortunately, is one of the scenarios that could happen that would mean Rafa would leave Newcastle – if Mike Ashley sells one of his top players
We cannot let that happen.
Anyway – when is Ashley going to sell the club?
Comments welcome.
115 comments so far
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:08 PM
Comment #41Here we go…
Bobbybee
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:09 PM
Comment #42Rob, sod that personality stuff, I want England to win it. He’ll be getting nothing but praise from me if he can pull it off mate.
GOAL!!! Game on now.
Still won’t like him but I can appreciate what he does.
RobLeenio
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:10 PM
Comment #43Lol, Micky – classic timing….
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:13 PM
Comment #44Dubai i didn’t think it was a secret. David Gilmours emotive phrasing is hard to beat. My missus says I even pull the same face when I play. Though tbf everyone in earshot pulls the same face. I think it’s to do less with my emotive phrasing and more to do with the agonising cacophony. 🙂
TomaKaThor
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:13 PM
Comment #45If you must lose Belgium please crop Mbappe while you are at it, would be much appreciated
RobLeenio
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:13 PM
Comment #46Bobby, lol yep – just pulling your leg (not too hard in case it falls off), I know where you’re coming from.
Also on the military origin of medical equipment – 3D printers were originally a military thing but check out what this guy is doing with them for free and sharing his techniques with anyone who cares to ask…
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-40373369/clydach-man-makes-3d-artificial-limbs-in-garden-shed
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:14 PM
Comment #47Belgium looking all at sea here lol. Looks like France have taken the brakes off.
DubaiMicky
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:14 PM
Comment #48Well wave upon wave of demented avengers march cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream….
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Comment #49Wow Fellaini beaten to that header. Yikes.
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:16 PM
Comment #50Ha ha Micky that’s first day of the season you’re singing about there 🙂
Bobbybee
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:17 PM
Comment #51Dunno about anybody else, but I’d rather play France than Belgium tbh. Just having lost to them must give a slight psychological advantage to Belgium. Certainly think we can beat France in the final – providing we can get past Croatia obviously. France v England has a nice ring to it. 🙂
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:19 PM
Comment #52You would have put money on De Bruyne to cannon that down Lloris’ throat. Panic stations for Belgium now.
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:20 PM
Comment #53I just hope they tire each other out and we stroll through ours.
Pottsclock
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:23 PM
Comment #54I can see France getting a second on the counter
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:25 PM
Comment #55Giroud is a man off. I hope he plays against us.
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:28 PM
Comment #56Martinez needs to check the wheel nuts on this thing…
Bobbybee
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:29 PM
Comment #57Rob, not quite at the stage of artificial limbs yet mate!! 🙂 Can’t be too long before they will be able to grow kneecaps in the lab though, having seen a mouse with a perfectly formed ear growing on its back for someone.
Again, all too late for me but for future generations it’s amazing what they’re doing now.
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:29 PM
Comment #58Belgium equaliser at 89 minutes will do. France to win in extra time. Cheers.
switch365
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:31 PM
Comment #59How many cracking crosses has Mertens put in since coming on?
Great winger!
RobLeenio
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:34 PM
Comment #60I can’t imagine Belgium are not going to get at least one more chance. They haven’t done as well this half though.
lesh
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:34 PM
Comment #61I don’t want to break the blog by posting a big link but if you want a laugh, search YouTube for
Hitler reacts to England at the world cup.
It’s priceless
Bobbybee
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:39 PM
Comment #62What they should do in extra time is take one player off every five minutes, so there’s more space and guarantee goals. 🙂 Knacker them out more for the final whilst they’re at it.
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:47 PM
Comment #63Lukaku has shown why he’s not that great. His anticipation is woeful.
RobLeenio
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:50 PM
Comment #64I just don’t like the French team – can’t wait to beat them in Moscow
😉
Bobbybee
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:50 PM
Comment #65Tsunki, very true mate. Had a couple of chances Kane would’ve buried.
TomaKaThor
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:52 PM
Comment #66Sigh pointless foul from Vetong, followed by pointless rolling on the floor from Mbappe
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:54 PM
Comment #67We’ve got to beat Croatia mind 🙂 France are a bit horrible with their gamesmanship. I’m really surprised it was France who scored they were terrible in front of goal.
ashleysmate
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:55 PM
Comment #68The water carrier and his slimy frogs….
Ron Knee
Jul 10, 2018 at 8:55 PM
Comment #69So England-Belgium or England-France at the weekend?
JDdubai
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:02 PM
Comment #70Am sure we have been waiting for belgium to come back so we can get batshyui(?)
RobLeenio
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Comment #71JDdubai, I hope so mate. He was brilliant for Dortmund last season
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:07 PM
Comment #72Surprised Martinez persevered with Lukaku he was struggling on his own up there no way through for Belgium’s attacking midfield. No plan B, which would have probably been to keep hoofing the ball into their penalty area.
Rotonda heights
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:15 PM
Comment #73That’s a shame as belgium were good value in this tournament but Chadli was just awful tonight.
Tsunki
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:17 PM
Comment #74I’m beginning to think I’m going to regret asserting Belgium’s midfield was better than Croatia’s 😐
Lascelles will be all over me like a Primark suit. 😀
Pottsclock
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:18 PM
Comment #75Hmmm. Mbappe running at Ashley Young and our central defenders. Not a pretty prospect. Would prefer Danny Rose in if we get to the final.
Novocastrian66
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:20 PM
Comment #76Belgium were poor tonight. France defended well but the Belgians played into their hands. Everything was going through Chadli who was rubbish and should have been hooked earlier. They did not get Hazard involved enough in the second half.
World Cup semi finals are seldom classics and are often attritional. Deschamps done Martinez tonight.
Nufc 4ever
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:27 PM
Comment #77Rob Leenio 37
1954 group match
Hungary 8 West Germany 3
Final West Germany 3 Hungary 2
Now thats a turnaround
G
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:52 PM
Comment #78https://youtu.be/P3SsM1RYdI4
Made me laugh
lochinvar
Jul 10, 2018 at 9:57 PM
Comment #79Agincourt v2 for the final anyone ?
RobLeenio
Jul 10, 2018 at 10:09 PM
Comment #80Nufc 4ever cheers mate. Good trivia, you’re on the quiz team.
That is some turnaround indeed. Footy in those days must have been some spectacle with the number of goals and everyone having lumps kicked out of them.