Newcastle fans have become used to constant changes at the top over the last ten years and beyond but they will be desperate to hold on to their current manager and best players as they bid to return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
To this end, latest utterances from their beloved manager should settle the nerves for now.
The Spanish maestro is quoted in the Northern Echo as saying:
“I saw the links about Jamaal, but I have been talking with him and with more people around him,”
“He’s happy, he’s OK and we think that he’s a good player for us, so I don’t see any big change in January around him, or anyone really.”
Newcastle captain Lascelles, who the report links with interest from Liverpool, has played 22 games for his club this season in a hugely impressive campaign so far. The 23-year-old has scored the solitary goal and his form will surely get him closer to the peripheries of the England set up after having so far achieved two caps for the U21s.
Benitez also stated that some transfer activity isn’t out of the question in January, as he builds for a prospective Premier League return in the autumn.
“I could see maybe someone coming, but still our position is the same: Still we are happy with the squad at the moment, the players are fine and they are enjoying their football, so I don’t see a big problem now.”
Benitez also moved to reassure supporters that he is in no hurry at all to move on after rumours broke of interest from West Ham, who have had a difficult season so far under Slaven Bilic.
“I have a lot of respect for West Ham because when I was in contact with them, they were really good and professional. But I am really happy here and we carry on trying to win games.”