Newcastle fans fearing the worst as Shelvey and Lascelles are dropped

Newcastle host Chelsea at St James Park today and the Magpies will be desperate to pick up their first win of the season after losing to Spurs and drawing to Cardiff in their first two games. Winning against Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea is always going to be difficult, but it’s made even tougher when your two best players, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles have been dropped.

TEAM NEWS

Here's how Newcastle United will line up for this afternoon's @premierleague game against @ChelseaFC. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/3TWG9yTQwu

— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 26, 2018

Beating Chelsea is difficult at the best of times and it will be made even tougher without Shelvey and Lascelles. The ex-Liverpool man is usually the club’s best midfield option and can be relied upon to create chances, dictate the tempo and chip in defensively. Now that he’s supposedly sorted out his disciplinary issues off the pitch too it looks like he’s turning into a serious player on Tyneside.

Whilst not having Shelvey is a huge loss, the one that most fans are more shocked with is Jamaal Lascelles. The 24-year-old is a model professional and always leads by example. The club captain dragged them through some games last season and without him in the side you wonder who’s going to be the man at the back who holds things together. Rafa Benitez has been brave in his selection beforehand and if this pays off then the fans will be forced to take back their comments.

You can read the Magpies’ verdict on Benitez lineup here:

No Shelvey or lascelles… Big tasks for Schär, Fernández and Ki today

— Cieran (@TUSEagle) August 26, 2018

https://twitter.com/skii2012/status/1033716487654199298

https://twitter.com/fabregasholic/status/1033719312178180096

6 changes; 5 at the back (so Chelsea will think we are scared & gonna play defensively) & no Lascelles? #InRafawetrust but still curious about this team sheet!

— Lisa Pickard (@LisaPickard18) August 26, 2018