The Newcastle United centre-back needs to prove his worth before the Magpies have a chance to replace him.
During pre-season, Newcastle United’s summer signing Florian Lejeune looked ready to take St. James’ Park by storm, but fast-forward a few months and the centre-back’s reputation is crumbling quicker than the Magpies’ back-line when under any sort of attack.
Lejeune arrived with a good reputation (for a reported £8.7million according to the BBC) and Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez was patient in his pursuit of the 26-year-old. Yet one wonders if the defender is already fighting for his future at the club after a string of poor performances.
Ciaran Clark did not fare any better against Leicester City on Saturday, yet it is Lejeune who looks the bigger liability more often than not, with Newcastle needing Jamaal Lascelles back in the starting XI as soon as possible.
Benitez will be hoping for money in January and, while a new prolific striker is an absolute must, it would not be a surprise if he also targeted another defender, preferably one who can cover at both centre-back and left-back.
Lejeune will not want to be written off so soon, yet he is not doing himself any favours and the Spaniard could slip out of contention at the worst possible time.
Benitez took his time signing the player but one wonders if he could make a quicker call when it comes to his long-term future at Newcastle.
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