Newcastle United opinion: Should the Magpies keep or sell Jamaal Lascelles?

According to the Guardian, Newcastle United star Jamaal Lascelles has been linked with a move to Lazio. The report further adds that while Lascelles is their top target, Lazio have also shortlisted Arsenal star Calum Chambers, with the Italian giants looking to add reinforcements.

If Lazio are serious about the £30m-rated Lascelles, then Newcastle have a problem. The 25-year-old has been arguably one of the club’s best players in recent years. Born in Derby, Lascelles has always shown great potential to become a very physical and commanding defender.

It’s why he made his Nottingham Forest debut in 2012 before being shipped out on loan to gain more experience. That worked wonders for the young centre-back, with him eventually earning a move to Newcastle.

The Magpies paid a pretty penny for the centre-back and by June 2015, he was ready to be thrown into the deep end by the club. However, the club struggled in the Premier League and were relegated, but thanks in part to Lascelles’ performances, they immediately found their way back up again.

Since then, the 25-year-old has been a rock in Newcastle United’s backline and one that they cannot afford to lose. No matter what Lazio or even anyone else pay them, in this market and more importantly with money meaning absolutely nothing, replacing Lascelles will be hard.

His great speed for a centre-back, tackling, domineering aerial ability and ball playing abilities will mean that the Magpies will have to spend a pretty penny to replace him. The fact that he is the club’s captain more than anything means that losing him is not an option.

Furthermore, with 34 appearances to his name, Jamaal Lascelles was the most consistent Newcastle United defender.

That’s 12 more than Federico Fernandez, 6 more than Fabian Schar and 21 more than Florian Lejeune. If that doesn’t prove why Newcastle United shouldn’t let him go, then absolutely nothing will.

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Conclusion

There is a reason as to why Lazio are chasing someone like Jamaal Lascelles and it’s the same reason that Newcastle United cannot afford to let the 25-year-old leave. He is a big part of any future that the club have in the Premier League.