OPINION
Rafa Benitez revealed that he hopes defender Jamaal Lascelles will go on to make at least 500 appearances for Newcastle United, and Magpies owner Mike Ashley must ensure this happens.
The experienced manager shared his wish for the 24-year-old centre-back’s future ahead of Lascelles potentially making his 100th Magpies appearance against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
“He is quite young to play so many games, but hopefully he can be here for 500 or more,” said Benitez, as quoted by the Chronicle.
“He is still learning but he is a leader & has all the attributes to be even better both on & off the pitch.”
While Benitez’s wish for the Magpies enforcer is of epic proportions, it must be one that Ashley does everything possible to grant.
The Telegraph previously reported that Tottenham were considering the 24-year-old as a possible replacement for Toby Alderweireld in the summer, while the Mirror reported that Chelsea were preparing a £30million swoop for Lascelles at the end of the season.
It’s easy to see that based on past transfer business, the current Magpies owner would no doubt be tempted to sell the enforcer for maximum profit.
This would be the most likely outcome, even though the defender’s current contract doesn’t expire until 2023.
However Ashley has to resist the urge to sell as Lascelles is capable of leading the Magpies to unprecedented success over the course of the next few season.
The 24-year-old has been tremendous in his 31 outings this season and is one of the main reasons why his side look likely to stay in the Premier League for another season.
Lascelles, just like Benitez’s claimed, is only set to get better as he is still learning, which means the centre-back is capable of helping the Magpies win trophies as well as enabling the club to regularly secure a top-10 finish in England’s top-flight.
Therefore while the defender may be way off making 500 appearances for the Magpies at this stage, Ashley must at least do everything he can to try and fulfil Benitez’s wish for Lascelles’ future.