Benitez warns Chelsea off bid for key £30m-rated Newcastle star

Rafael Benitez is hoping skipper Jamaal Lascelles stays at Newcastle next season amid claims that Chelsea are leading a pack of potential suitors who are willing to pay £30million for him.

Despite the fact his own future at St James’ Park is in doubt as his representatives discuss a contract extension, the manager is already planning for the new campaign and is keen to retain the services of his 24-year-old captain.

Asked if he is expecting a summer bid for the central defender, who will line up against Chelsea on Sunday, Benitez said: “We are talking about a young centre-back, a young English centre-back.

“There are not too many young centre-backs who can play in the Premier League and they are English, so he has many positive things.

“The main one for me is he is keen to learn, so then you have all the potential. Does that mean that a lot of clubs will be interested? Yes. Can they sign him? I don’t think so, but we will see.”

Having been limited in his efforts to strengthen his squad in the last 12 months as a result of the financial constraints under which he has had to work, Benitez has concentrated on improving the players he already had at his disposal.

He is confident most of them have progressed, and none more so than Lascelles.

The 58-year-old said: “I am not really surprised because we knew some of them were coming from the Championship, but if you want to name one, Jamaal progressing could be a good reference.”

Newcastle will run out on Sunday desperate to avoid a fifth successive defeat at the end of a creditable season.

They also know Chelsea need to win if they are to stand any chance of making the Champions League, something he recognises as a key priority for the Blues from his own brief spell at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “It’s massive. I had that conversation with (owner Roman) Abramovich at his home, and it was about, ‘What is the priority?’. Champions League, Champions League…

“When I went there, they were in a bad position and we finished third and we won the Europa League. For him, it was massive to be sure that they could be in the Champions League.”

 

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