Jamaal Lascelles has stated that he would like Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez to keep his current crop of players at the club following their promotion to the Premier League.
Centre-back Lascelles recently captained his side to the Championship title and believes the current crop at St James’ Park are a “very tight group”.
As a result, he would like people to stay in the summer but admitted that he would understand if his manager had to move players on.
Benitez has helped mastermind Newcastle’s instant return to the promise land after relegation during the previous campaign, mainly under the stewardship of Steve McLearen.
Nonetheless, Lascelles offered his thoughts on what he would like his manager to do during the up and coming transfer window.
“We’re a very young team. We have a great set of lads on and off the field,” Lascelles told the Chronicle. “We’re a very tight group. That has definitely helped us this season.
“It would be nice to see people are staying. Obviously, though, whatever the manager decided to do is the right thing because he’s the boss.”
The Magpies won the Championship title on the last day of the season after they had beat Barnsley on home soil and Brighton had conceded a late equaliser at Aston Villa.
Jack Grealish’s last strike handed the Toon Army the title and ensured Chris Hughton’s team earned promotion via the automatic places.
Nonetheless, the Seagulls have been joined in the Premier League by Yorkshire outfit Huddersfield Town, who beat Reading in a dramatic penalty shoot during the play-off finals last Monday.
David Wagner’s side will now meet Newcastle and Brighton in the top tier of English football next season.