The ongoing discussion of who should be the next NUFC captain is now rife but judging by the comments of defender Jamaal Lascelles, we believe Rafa has already found his man.
After our comfortable 6-0 victory at the weekend over Bohemian FC, it was the ex-Forest youngster who started the friendly as captain and following the game, made no secret of how honoured he was to be given such a responsibility.
“I feel so proud.
“I was getting hints in training but the manager didn’t actually tell me. Then when I arrived at the ground and went into the changing room he told I would be the captain.
“It took my breath away because it’s such a big thing for me.
“It’s unbelievable to be wearing the captain’s armband for Newcastle United, even in a pre-season friendly. I class myself as a leader but wearing the armband made me feel ten feet tall, like a proper leader.
“For Rafa Benitez to give me the captain’s armband shows how much trust and respect he has for me and I will never forget this moment.
“We will see what happens in the season but either way, whoever the manager picks as captain for the season, will be the right person.
“It’s a great start.
“We’ve been working hard in training, we’ve been waiting all week for this and we came here today with our heads on the right way and a professional attitude.
“Anyone who watched the game could see how quickly we pressed the ball after we lost it and that is something we have been working on all week.
“We put Bohemian under a lot of pressure and from the back looking forward, it was really impressive to see the forward players doing that.
“There was a difficult period at the start but we did what we needed to do and were clinical with our finishes.
“We lacked a bit of threat in the final third last season but for six individuals to score shows what we’ve got in our team.
“Everyone stuck to their jobs, we were positive going forward and solid at the back so I’m really pleased with everyone.”
For us, the ‘took my breath away’ part of his post-match comments really got us.
It’s clear for all to see how much the 22-year-old really wants to excel in a Newcastle shirt and despite being barely out of his teens, it seems as though he has the head on his shoulders to be able to make that captain’s armband his own.
He was the only one who stood up last season. He’s a natural choice imo.
Played welll too so he backed up his words. I personally think he has great talent and will go on to play for England. Rafa will improve him more than he could ever hope under Pardew or McClaren.