Newcastle United has experienced an extraordinary few weeks, bringing immense joy to fans, coaches, and players, particularly Jamaal Lascelles. The team has achieved remarkable success in the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup, and all of this has been accomplished with Jamaal Lascelles as a key part of the starting lineup.
The 29-year-old found himself back in the starting XI due to Sven Botman’s injury, with Eddie Howe choosing to rely on his leadership as captain. This decision has proven to be a stroke of genius, as Lascelles played pivotal roles in some memorable victories against strong opponents like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. His performance in the Champions League win was particularly outstanding, drawing praise from Howe, who described it as ‘magnificent.’
It’s been a delight to witness Lascelles’ return to the squad and his exceptional performance after spending an extended period on the bench. He has now started in Newcastle’s last four games, marking the first time he’s been a consistent starter since Howe’s early months at St James’ Park. His performances have been impressive and may pave the way for an extension of his Newcastle career.
Newcastle’s intention to retain Jamaal Lascelles is clear. According to the Northern Echo, the club has no intention of selling him during the January transfer window. They won’t entertain offers from other clubs, as they are determined to keep their skipper at St James’ Park.
This stance comes after Lascelles was heavily linked with a move away from the club during the summer transfer window when Newcastle was in search of a center-back, and Lascelles wasn’t a regular in the starting lineup. A departure seemed logical at the time, and there were reports that he wouldn’t receive a contract extension.
His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2024, and it’s uncertain whether he’ll be offered a new deal.
Recent standout performances could potentially lead to a contract extension for Lascelles, given his importance both on and off the pitch. At present, a January move away is not in the cards, and Lascelles will aim to maintain his role despite the imminent return to fitness of Sven Botman.