Jamaal Lascelles has won plenty of plaudits for his performances for Newcastle United this season, so should he have been called up for England?
Craig Bellamy has told The Debate on Sky Sports (broadcast on 11th October 2017 from 10:00 pm) that Jamaal Lascelles needs to sustain his Newcastle form for longer before he earns an England call-up in his opinion.
Lascelles has been sensational for the Magpies this season. Not only has he been a colossus at the back for a Newcastle side that has conceded just six goals in seven Premier League games, but he has also contributed further forward.
He is their joint top goalscorer with two goals coming thus far, and both of those goals have proved to be vital for Rafa Benitez’s men as they have both been winners.
His form has led many to suggest that he deserved a call-up to the England squad for the most recent international break. But Bellamy has suggested that it is probably a bit premature to be talking about the former Nottingham Forest man in that capacity at this moment.
“It’s England again, as soon as a player’s doing well, he automatically should be called up to the England squad. I’d like to see him maintain the good form he’s enjoying at this present moment. I’d like to see it a little bit longer and then who knows?”
It would certainly be a major surprise if Lascelles continues to maintain his current levels of form and he is not rewarded by receiving a call-up.
The centre-back is not only an excellent player for the Magpies, but, as their captain, he has been a tremendous leader, and having more leaders in the squad should certainly be something Gareth Southgate thinks about with the World Cup on the horizon.
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