Newcastle United have confirmed that defender Jamaal Lascelles has been left out of today’s clash with Chelsea due to injury, not because of a bust-up with Rafael Benitez.
Upon announcing their starting lineup ahead of the game at St James’ Park, Newcastle released a statement on their club website that read: “Federico Fernández, Fabian Schär and Ki Sung-yeung all make their competitive debuts for Newcastle United as the Magpies take on Chelsea at St. James’ Park.
“For Fernández, it is a first appearance of any sort since the Argentine’s move from Swansea City on the final day of the transfer window. Ki and Schär, meanwhile, both featured throughout United’s pre-season campaign, but have yet to play in the Premier League.
“Fernández and Schär are introduced to a five-man backline that does not feature skipper Jamaal Lascelles, who is set to sit out the clash and join fellow ankle injury victim Javier Manquillo – as well as long-term absentee Florian Lejeune – on the sidelines. Ki, meanwhile, comes in for Jonjo Shelvey, who misses out with a thigh problem.”
This statement contradicts a report released by the Mirror that speculated about a training ground bust-up between Lascelles and Magpies manager Rafael Benitez.
Their report read: “Rafa Benitez has dropped Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles after a training-ground fallout over tactics, Sportsmail understands.
“The defender is thought to have voiced his disapproval at the manager’s decision to play three at the back for Sunday’s visit of Chelsea.
“Benitez has responded by axing Lascelles from the squad and will play summer signings Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark in his three-man backline.”
The Mirror also claimed that the dispute happened when Benitez tried to put Lascelles on the right of a back-three in training with Lascelles wanting to be more central.
To further refute the Mirror’s claims, Benitez gave his own words on Lascelles’ absence, as well as that of Jonjo Shelvey.
He said: “Jonjo has been playing with pain, he was trying to be there. We had to tell him he can’t carry on. On Jamaal, he had a problem and we decided that we have enough centre-backs.”
Newcastle United have won four of their last five home Premier League ties against the Blues, drawing the other, including a 3-0 win on the final day of the 2017-18 campaign.
Chelsea have lost 11 away Premier League games against Newcastle United – they have only lost more against Arsenal (12) and Liverpool (13).
The post Newcastle confirm Lascelles injury amid reports of training ground bust-up with Benitez appeared first on Squawka News.
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