Jamaal Lascelles' emotional departure from Newcastle United has sparked a flood of tributes from his former teammates, highlighting the void the veteran defender leaves behind at St James' Park. As the 32-year-old relocates to Leicester City, the social media reactions from the Magpies' dressing room illuminates the story of a true leader held in the highest regard from his loyal troops.
Brazilian star Bruno Guimarães led the sentiment, posting: “What a player. What a guy. Thankyou for everything skipper! All the best mate.”
Fellow midfield talisman Sandro Tonali added a simple but poignant emojis. While Anthony Gordon and Joe Willock shared messages of gratitude for the skipper. An athlete who certainly helped steer the club from the English Football League Championship doldrums to Champions League nights.
Have Leicester City finally replaced Wes Morgan?
For the King Power outfit, the signing echoes the 2011 arrival of another bruising East Midlands defender: Wes Morgan. Like the iconic title-winning captain, Lascelles arrives at a time when the Foxes crave an old-school defensive anchor.
Albeit critics occasionally point to the 32-year-old's limitations on the ball or a susceptibility to lapses under pressure - his commitment is unquestionable. Nevertheless, those very traits were also levelled at Morgan; and not merely during his early Leicester days. Though hope of Lascelles whipping the defence into shape exists on Filbert Way.
Speaking upon his arrival in LE2, Lascelles left fans in no doubt about his intent, pledging: “I’ll give my all,” he explained. “I’ll run through a brick wall for the Club in every single game, every single session".
"I’m definitely going to add high standards, professionalism… for me, they’re non-negotiable. It’s the one per cents every day, dragging myself and other people on board and just keeping high standards."Jamaal Lascelles - lcfc.com
If the new Foxes CB can replicate Morgan's transformative influence and even a modicum of his legacy, Leicester’s defensive crisis may have just found its most resolute solution. Yet the Blue Army cannot place all its eggs into Lascelles' delicate basket - because he carries it into battle every week!