In Focus: Lascelles lasting the course despite Magpies' investment

Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles looks like a man who means business this season.

He has taken the opportunity to impress in the absence of injured team-mate Sven Botman.

Given the wealth possessed by the Magpies' Saudi owners, many expected Lascelles to be cast aside as a relic of the previous era — but he has stepped up admirably.

Ahead of this evening's game at Bournemouth, we look at the centre-back's resurgence on Tyneside.

Surpassing expectations

Lascelles was particularly impressive in last weekend's 1-0 win over Arsenal.

Alongside Fabian Schar, he did not allow the Gunners' forwards any time or space — successfully nullifying one of the division's most potent attacks.

Newcastle have kept four clean sheets and conceded only eight goals in the 30-year-old's nine starts so far this season

That has included games against Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.

After last month's 4-1 win over PSG, manager Eddie Howe said: "I'm so pleased for Jamaal. I said countless times last year how good his attitude was, how well he trained, how good he'd been for the group.

"But ultimately he's desperate to show how good he is on the pitch. The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he's stepped in and he's really stepped up to the challenge.

"He had to train so well to continue to develop his game when he wasn't playing and my inner belief was always that he could improve with the team even though he wasn't in the starting XI and his game was in a really good place."

Botman returns

Whether Lascelles will keep his place upon Botman's return remains to be seen, but the Nottingham Forest academy graduate has certainly made a strong case to continue his burgeoning partnership with Schar.

No Newcastle player has made more headed clearances per 90 minutes (2.12) or won more aerial duels per 90 (3.48) this term.

The dominant defender has certainly demonstrated his ability to keep things tight — but one notable point in Botman's favour is the Dutchman's ability to play out from the back and start attacking moves.

Lascelles is hardly incompetent in that area, though, averaging 61.61 completed passes per 90 with an accuracy of 86.92%.

However, Botman is one of the Premier League's best when it comes to distribution, registering 64.63 completed passes per 90 with 92.24% accuracy.

He is also typically better at progressing the ball, with 35.63% of his passes going forward compared to 31.34% for Lascelles.

Selection dilemmas

Howe will have a decision to make when Botman returns from his knee injury.

But that could still be some time off, with the 23-year-old set for a longer absence than expected.

It potentially means an extended run in the team for Lascelles, who only made seven Premier League appearances last season.

And with struggling Bournemouth up next for the Magpies, their No6 will be aiming for another clean sheet and victory on the South Coast.