Jamaal Lascelles has impressed at Newcastle this season.
Newcastle United icon Shay Given has suggested 888Sport in an exclusive interview that Jamaal Lascelles should be picked above Chelsea captain Gary Cahill for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Lascelles, 24, has shone with the captain’s armband this season under the guidance of Rafa Benitez, proving to play a pivotal part in the Toon’s fight against relegation.
The former Nottingham Forest defender has made 32 Premier League appearances this term, helping his side keep eight clean sheets and concede only 32 goals. He has even scored three of his own, against Swansea, Stoke and Burnley.
Shay Given, speaking exclusively to 888sport, reckons Lascelles would be a better option for Gareth Southgate this summer over the experienced Cahill, who has been benched in four of Chelsea’s last 10 league games.
“Lascelles is a young defender of course but he is clearly a leader both on the pitch and off it and he’s captain of Newcastle as well. There are still a couple of places to be finalised and I think he could be one of them to get on the plane,” Given said.
“Obviously there is [Chris] Smalling and [Phil] Jones at Manchester United and [Harry] Maguire has done well but Cahill hasn’t been in the last couple of squads and there is room for Lascelles.”
Cahill, who earns £85,000 a week at Chelsea according to the Daily Star, has been overlooked of late by Antonio Conte, instead playing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Lascelles is yet to earn a cap with England, or indeed earn a call-up with the Three Lions, but does have two caps with the England Under-21 side. It remains to be seen if Lascelles can tempt Southgate, with one game left.
Read the full 888sport interview with Shay Given, including his story about Fabian Delph’s prankster antics and the revenge that followed.
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