Nottingham Forest will pose a serious dilemma to Eddie Howe and the Newcastle United hierarchy if they make a tempting offer for Jamaal Lascelles this summer. Reports in The Athletic claim the newly-promoted Premier League side are considering a move for the Toon skipper to bolster their backline ahead of a long-awaited top-flight return.
It was Newcastle who poached the then 20-year-old from Forest in a double deal with Karl Darlow in 2014. The duo were immediately loaned back to the Championship outfit before Lascelles stamped his mark on Tyneside during a notable debut 2015-16 season.
During the latter stages of that relegation campaign, Lascelles - a novice in the side - earned respect among supporters for delivering a bold, no-holds-barred post-match interview following a 3-1 defeat to Southampton. It was his straight-talking, bullish attitude and leadership skills that led Rafa Benitez to make the centre-back captain at 22-years-old.
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There were even faint calls for Lascelles to earn an England spot from Newcastle fans after a stellar 2017-18 campaign - when the Magpies finished 10th on their Premier League return. Sadly, however, any chance of him donning the Three Lions now seems a million miles away…
The now 28-year-old would probably be the first to admit his form has nosedived in recent times. In January, the usually-commanding defender was outjumped by Watford’s Joao Pedro as Newcastle conceded an 87th-minute equaliser. This felt like a pivotal moment for Lascelles as, less than two weeks later, his replacement - Dan Burn - was signed.
A former academy product, the Blyth-born defender continued his Brighton form to quickly become a cult hero at St James’ Park. Illness to Lascelles ahead of February’s 1-0 win against Aston Villa forced him out of the side and he has only featured sparingly since.
Howe praised the captain before the final-day trip to Burnley - a game Lascelles started due to Fabian Schar’s injury - highlighting the attitude he showed while out the team. Instead of sulking, the Magpies’ skipper continued to lead from the sidelines.
“Jamaal has been an exceptional captain for us,” Howe told the press. “The biggest compliment I can give him is when he was out of the team, and when you’re the captain, how do you act at that moment?
“That was a real test of his leadership and I have to say his response was brilliant. For me, it elevated him as a captain because of that. He has been a brilliant captain on and off the pitch.”
A busy summer is anticipated on Tyneside, adding another dynamic to the Lascelles conundrum. Top-tier centre-backs like Sven Botman and Evan Ndicka have been linked with joining the Saudi-backed revolution. Signing either would condemn Newcastle’s skipper to fourth-choice, causing questions over his captaincy to emerge.
Kieran Trippier is already touted by many Toon supporters as the natural successor to take over the armband if and when Lascelles departs. An emotional return to Forest could be best for all parties but there is no denying the importance Lascelles has had since Benitez made him his lieutenant in 2016.
The defender has been in charge of a dressing room that has solidified Newcastle in the Premier League. He has delivered several crucial moments, too, such as his bullet header against Everton last season just moments after scoring an own goal at the other end. Those in power have a big decision to make if Forest do come calling.
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