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Newcastle United: Expectations for Jamaal Lascelles next season

By Durim Halimi

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United applauds fans after the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle United applauds fans after the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Jamaal Lascelles earned the Newcastle United Player of the Year award last season and he is expected to maintain that form this season.

Only 17 days remain until the 2018-19 Premier League campaign begins and Jamaal Lascelles cannot wait to take on Tottenham at St. James’ Park. In a recent interview for the media, Lascelles stated that he enjoyed his vacation, but missed the team and was ready for action.

That is the exact mindset Rafa Benitez needs from his captain as Newcastle have a long, difficult season ahead of them. Despite being injured and missing five matches in 2017, Lascelles was in top form for the Magpies and he undoubtedly deserved the Player of the Year award.

Lascelles was calm in the face of adversity, developed and maintained consistency on the back-line and he contributed offensively with three crucial goals from set pieces. At 24-years-old, Lascelles’ leadership traits and style of play are beginning to emulate Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid.

The Magpies are fortunate to have such a skilled defender and they will rely on defensive solidity in order to remain competitive in matches. With that being said, the key to that solidity on the back-line is held by Lascelles.

Lead Through Action

Lascelles has one primary objective this season and it is to make the players around him better. The skipper’s confidence and energy began to influence his team-mates’ form in the second half of last season and more of that will be needed during this campaign.

Lascelles was a true example of a leader last season as he organized the defensive unit, coordinated with Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame in the middle and played aggressive football. In 2017, the young captain was a standout player as he scored three goals, completed 1,184 passes, won 176 duels and recovered the ball 179 times.

It was this positive form that made many pundits promote the idea of having Lascelles play for England this summer. Lascelles’ exclusion from this year’s World Cup squad will surely provide him with extra motivation to build on last season’s success.

Preview: 2018-19 Statistics

Newcastle will not have an easy schedule this season and the players know they have to give it their all to win matches. Lascelles seems eager for the new season to begin and he must show the league that Newcastle boast a top ten defensive unit. Here are my statistical predictions for the skipper this season:

  • Goals: 4
  • Passes: 1,250
  • Tackle Success Rating: 70%
  • Duels Won: 210