OPINION
While most Newcastle United fans will complain – and quite rightly, it must be said – about the lack of quality options at the disposal of manager Rafael Benitez, there is no doubting he is well equipped at the heart of defence.
There are no less than five quality players who can naturally fill the role of centre back; club captain Jamaal Lascelles, Swiss international Fabian Schar, Republic of Ireland star Ciaran Clark, Premier League stalwart Federico Fernandez and last season’s standout performer Florian Lejeune.
All apart from the Frenchman, who suffered a serious injury blow over the summer, ruling him out of the first half of the season, have been used by Benitez, who seems to be struggling to find a first choice partnership, switching between using two and three at the back.
That does not need to be the case anymore, with the Chronicle claiming on their website that Lejeune is set to make an imminent return to action against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup – likely being one of the first names on the team sheet.
After his performances last season, where he was a rock in defence while showing off his quality as a ball playing defender, the Toon Army will be excited about his comeback and will be salivating at the thought of what Benitez can do at the heart of the defence.
Does he revert to three centre backs, using a good balance of power, passing ability and composure in Fernandez or Lascelles, Schar and Lejeune respectively?
Could he stick with two at the back, bringing any of the previous options to fill in alongside the talented Frenchman?
Either way, Newcastle have one of the best range of centre backs in the division and while it is a headache for Benitez, it should have the Magpies faithful drooling.