Florian Lejeune’s pre-season with Newcastle appears to be going from strength to strength this summer, with the 6ft 3′ defender showing his quality in Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Bradford with a sublime piece of play.
Bradford punted a long ball into the United half looking to spring a counter-attack, and Lejeune dealt with the danger in exquisite fashion, effortlessly bringing the ball under control followed by a nonchalant chip over the on-rushing attacker to find DeAndre Yedlin down the right:
That touch and pass?? @lejeune_florian #nufc pic.twitter.com/upTAp4FT1k
— Josh (@joshgoodfelloww) July 27, 2017
If his pre-season performances are anything to go by, Lejeune not only looks a strong and sturdy defender but a very capable ball player too – a match made in heaven.
Lejeune's distribution has really impressed me in opening 3 friendlies. #nufc have lacked a ball-playing CB in recent years
— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) July 26, 2017
Many were underwhelmed when Newcastle signed the former Eibar centre-back for £8.7m earlier in the window, with several seeing the Frenchman as a relatively unknown quantity.
The early signs are very positive ones however, and long may it last.