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
clinath@ed
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Comment #1Martoon should have had a quick poll last night.
Captain and No 9
I am happy with that decision. The lad has shown a natural aptitude for captaincy since he got here
Ron Knee
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #2clinath
Worth a read:-
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/08/newcastle-united-void/
calvinzolamakongo
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Comment #3Anyone know of anyvspares in neutral or away end tomo help brother out 🙂
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:09 AM
Comment #4Good thing making Lascelles captain
hibbitt
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:09 AM
Comment #5Pavel is a geordie
WHO ????
JamesToon
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Comment #6So pleased for the lad, he deserves it
Pavel is a geordie
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Comment #7No word on who it is, but there is a slot booked out for a medical this afternoon.
SuperShearer
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Comment #8The only player we’ve had for some time that looks like he wants to lead the team. Great appointment.
The overrated Frenchman
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Comment #9I don’t have anything to say, but let’s see if Ed closes this thread, as soon as I appear.
clinath@ed
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:13 AM
Comment #10Good read that Ron..
Tho I expect (hope!) to win this league as we have the best squad and manager, every game this season will be a test, and the players will have to be up for it twice a week continuously. Buying players who are experienced in this has been a good move, but they all still have to perform.
Looking forward to the TOON playing some good football and winning games again…
martoon
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:15 AM
Comment #11I noticed in the friendly last Saturday that when we conceded he was going mad with the other defenders – good to see he cared in what was only a friendly!
JDdubai
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:16 AM
Comment #12Pavel
Probably just Saylor’s daily checkup they forgot to remove from the outlook calendar..
No way we ever keep a transfer a secret until the medical – clubs need to agree prices long before that.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Comment #13Pav
Where’d you hear that? If its true, it’s clear we are not effing about! 😀
martoon
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:18 AM
Comment #14clinath@ed before you suggest it – no I’m not starting a poll on who the player is having a medical this afternoon 🙂
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:19 AM
Comment #15Martoon
Oh go on! I vote Messi.
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:19 AM
Comment #16It’ll be for Anthony Knockaert 🙂
Jib
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:20 AM
Comment #17Some interesting questions re numbers
Will Krul retain 1
At the moment there is no 2 , 5 , 6 or 9 allocated.
Will Sissoko retain 7
Will DeJong retain 10
Will Colback have his No 4 changed
Will Gouffran retain 11
G
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:20 AM
Comment #18calvinzolamakongo (good moniker, decent player who I would have liked to stay in the Toon), I’ve been trying to get some for my oldest daughter and her partner, no joy. You could try the Fulham fans forums?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:20 AM
Comment #19Glad J.L is the captain. Very strong character, and imo a very good player.
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:21 AM
Comment #20I bet it will be; Lascelles Captain and Mitrovic number 9.
I want us to go for Knockeart. He is a quick winger, technically sound and tenacious in the takle. If we can’t get him then I hope Rafa brings in a relative unkown quality player from his contacts in Spain (another Ayoze). We need more pace and flair, more natural goalscorers to be certain we will have an easy ride to the promised land again.
clinath@ed
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:21 AM
Comment #21pmsl Martoon….
Bet u don’t know what I’ve got on me sarnis today mate?
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:21 AM
Comment #22Rafa said last night that 2 players who were competing for the no.9 eventually came to thier own agreement.
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:22 AM
Comment #23I’m guessing Gayle will be no. 9
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:23 AM
Comment #24It was going to be Gayle, i reckon, until Mitro threatened to smash his face in!
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:25 AM
Comment #25I know this is way off topic but how the hell did Roberto Martinez get the Belgium job???
Wayayman
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:26 AM
Comment #26No way Mitro would give up the chance. Can’t see Gayle being man enough to stand up to a pee’d off Mitro!
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:26 AM
Comment #27That was a repost. Now for my other prediction, Mitro to be our number 9 this season.
I hope the medical is for Knockeart. We need another winger as we really are short of wingers. We need natural width like Townsend used to give us. And we need more than the two we have in Aarons and Ritchie. Inhope I am wrong but I can’t see Aarons playing more than 10 games in a row without a long term injury. We need a good backup player to rotate our wingers and keep them fresh.
Ron Knee
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:27 AM
Comment #28RR@25
That’s one of life’s mysteries!
JP...from The Rock
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Comment #29Wayaman- exactly I bet Gayle backed off and accepted defeat when he saw red in Mitros eyes. Being the new guy I bet he didn’t want to be in anyones bad books none less than Mitros.
Our new number 9 will be Mitro. I would be very surprised if it’s anyone else.
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Comment #30Ron it certainly is!!
Jib
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Comment #31calvinzolamakongo
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels at Chelsea Football Club is 5 minutes’ walk from Fulham Broadway Underground Station. If you talk to the porters there they will sort you out with tickets. You will probably pay a bit over the odds but nothing too outrageous.
The overrated Frenchman
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Comment #32Mitrovic has to get the number 9, surely. He wants it badly, understands its significance, and he has the fire in his belly we like to see in our no.9. I know he has plenty of detractors as of now, but I have a feeling he’ll turn it around.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Comment #33TOF
Lose the paranoia, Eds constant thread switching is my reason for the ‘Bus missing’ comments, we all probably feel similar to you.
If it makes you feel any better I believe he does it for commercial reasons, not to p!ss people off.
We all have to make a living one way or another. 🙂
Just copy and paste until the bus is finally parked for the day/night.
Mr Funk
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:30 AM
Comment #34I wonder if NUFC will go back to the Belgium ProLeague. We were linked with Frank Acheampong earlier on in the transfer window, maybe we could go back for someone else.
Possible options could include:
Moses Simon – like Ahmed Musa
Ayanda Patosi
Leon Bailey (long shot)
These can all play left wing or upfront and could be worth a gamble now that Knockaert is looking less likely.
Rafa Revolution
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Comment #35Could be worse look at Sheff Wed their goalkeeper has been given then no.2 and former scumbderland striker Fletcher wears no. 6!!!!!!!
Ron Knee
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Comment #36Can this be true:-
http://www.themag.co.uk/2016/08/florian-thauvin-transfer-agreed-france-football-newcastle-united-marseille/
martoon
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Comment #37clinath@ed @21 – Ham and pease pudding 😉
Rafa Revolution @25 – I noticed that news last night – like you I’m very surprised – it seems in football the more you mess up the better the lob you get e.g. Martinez, McClaren and even Mourinhio to a certain extent – maybe it helps if your name begins with ‘m’ 🙂
The one and Ayoze 17
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM
Comment #38It looks like we’re just a left winger away from being a really strong team now, with plenty of depth in all positions, I really hope this medical today is for knockhaert.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:32 AM
Comment #39I’d agree with the Gayle predictions.
Jail for Ashley
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:33 AM
Comment #40Just tell ’em you know Jib. Know wot I mean guv!