Jamaal Lascelles 'Focused' on Newcastle Amid Chelsea Rumours, Says Rafa Benitez

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez has said Jamaal Lascelles is concentrating on the Magpies despite speculation linking the defender with Chelsea.

According to Simon Bird for the Mirror, the Blues are interested in the centre-back as they look to prepare for next season, with Lascelles said to be valued at £30 million.

However, Benitez said: 

"He's happy, training well, he's improving, he's focused. You can't stop speculation about players, but I was talking with him for a while last week, the focus is just trying to improve his game.

"I think at the moment he knows he has to continue progressing and learning but he is quite happy here."

The 24-year-old is the youngest captain in the Premier League, and his leadership skills have already been impressive throughout his time at Newcastle.

Former Chelsea boss Benitez is hoping to refine them further still, per Sky Sports' Keith Downie:

While few players, if any, could replicate John Terry's impact at Stamford Bridge, Lascelles has the potential to be a similarly important leader as he garners more top-level experience.

He played a key role in Newcastle's successful promotion push in the Championship last year, and he now looks to have done the same to keep the Magpies in the Premier League with the side now 10th and almost safe.

Newcastle have shipped only 41 goals this season, a record bettered only by Burnley and the division's top-five sides.

The Chronicle's Mark Douglas believes Lascelles can expect an England call-up in his future:

Given how well he has played this season, he was perhaps unfortunate not to receive one in the last international break, and his lack of involvement will likely see him miss out on a World Cup place this summer even if he enjoys a strong end to the campaign.

He's a fan-favourite on Tyneside, and the club will be eager to keep hold of him as they look to avoid a battle for survival next year, but there's much he could contribute even at a club of Chelsea's stature.