Rafa: Ton-up skipper will get better
RAFA Benitez is confident that Jamaal Lascelles can get even better with Newcastle United in the next few years.
After skippering the Magpies to the Sky Bet Championship title last year, Lascelles has helped guide his team into the Premier League’s top 10 in their first season back in the big time.
Benitez was the man who handed Lascelles the captain’s armband in 2016, and the former Nottingham Forest defender has never looked back with his performances even resulting in suggestions that he should be in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
Lascelles made his 100th appearance for United against West Bromwich Albion and while the game ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat, Benitez heaped praise on the centre-back after reaching an important milestone with the club.
Benitez told the Chronicle: “It is a great achievement for any young player.
“He is a great character and he is learning and improving.
“So 100 games is a good number.
“Hopefully, he can be here for 500 games!
“And I hope he can improve every year.”
Benitez’s decision to offer Lascelles the captaincy in the pre-season of 2016 came out of the blue with the move coming just a few months after he’d had a run of games in the Toon starting XI.
But Benitez explained: “At that time we needed to find somebody who could be close to the fans.
“We needed someone to show some character and leadership.
“I think he’s delivered.
“Yes, he is still a young captain but he’s still learning and doing really well.”