Jamaal Lascelles’ odds to earn a spot in England’s World Cup squad have been cut, with England sources confirming with Graeme Bailey that he is being looked at ‘very closely’ ahead of their upcoming friendlies with Holland and Italy later this month.
His odds have moved to as little as 9/1, with the Telegraph’s Matt Law also admitting this week that the NUFC skipper is now ‘in the mix’ to be called up by Gareth Southgate in a bid to strengthen England’s issues at centre-back.
The skipper has been revelation over the past 12 months. His Championship season was impressive in terms of his leadership and heart, but this season he has performed consistently on the pitch, being Benitez’s stand out player without any shadow of a doubt.
He’s rarely put a foot wrong on the pitch all season and has been an example to all players with his actions off the field, showing that he is not only a commanding centre-back and fierce competitor, but a mature young man and born leader.
The Chronicle’s Mark Douglas has also shared a nugget from Matt Law’s recent piece for the Daily Telegraph, claiming that Lascelles is in the mix to ‘solve England’s defensive crisis’ along with Burnley’s James Tarkowski:
Interesting piece from @Matt_Law_DT saying Gareth Southgate considering call for Burnley defender James Tarkowski to "solve defensive crisis" for England. Lascelles in the mix as well. Squad named next week.
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) March 7, 2018
Let’s hope he makes Southgate’s squad on Thursday. You feel he will have to if he has any chance of getting on that England plane to Russia this summer.
