SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles reacts during the Premier League match between Southampton and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
According to Liverpool Echo, Jamaal Lascelles admitted that there was interest from Everton early in his career. He said that he went to their training ground and had a look at things but a deal did not happen. Lascelles spoke about how there was always paper talk and speculation as a kid.
A youth product of Nottingham Forest, he joined their academy in 2003. He spent the next eight years in their youth setup before being promoted to the senior side. A year later, he was loaned out to Stevenage for a short spell in which he played 9 games for them.
On his return, he has thrust into the first-team and went on to make 65 appearances, scoring 4 goals and assisting once. His last year at Nottingham was on loan from Newcastle as they had signed him in 2014 and allowed him to return to Nottingham for that season.
Slowly but steadily he became a mainstay of Newcastle’s backline, amassing 175 appearances to date, scoring 10 and assisting 4. Lascelles has featured for the England youth teams but hasn’t been called up to the senior side.
In the five and a half years he has been at the club, he has emerged as one of the most solid defenders in the league. His presence at Newcastle has made them one of the most difficult mid-table teams to crack open. The 27-year-old has been the bedrock on which Newcastle’s doggedness has been built.
Everton haven’t had it easy in the last couple of years, with their exorbitant spending yielding measly returns. They have spent a lot on their defence and yet, their best defender is Mason Holgate. The likes of Yerry Mina and Michael Keane haven’t been upto the mark.
Everton need an established central defender like Lascelles who has ample Premier League experience. He could be the one-stop solution to all their defensive problems. Tall and strong, Lascelles has all the attributes to succeed and flourish at Everton under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti.
Whatever may have been the reason then for pulling the plug on a deal for Lascelles, Everton should pursue him in the near future. He would make their backline very strong.