Benitez dropped Newcastle captain after training ground row

Jamaal Lascelles was dropped by Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez for Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea after a training ground bust-up, claims The Daily Mail.

Newcastle reverted to a three-man defence for the welcome of Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea and Lascelles was reportedly angered by Benitez’s negative approach in training.

Benitez reacted by sensationally axing his captain from the matchday squad, although Newcastle insist his absence was because of injury and nothing to do with an alleged falling out.

Summer signings Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar were brought in for their Newcastle debuts as a result but the Magpies fell to defeat in a match where they surrendered 81% of the ball to Chelsea.

Benitez came in for criticism for his conservative approach to the game, which saw Chelsea midfielder Jorginho completed more passes (158) than Newcastle managed as a team (131).

Lascelles was linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer and is regarded as one of Newcastle’s best and most important players.

In fact, only Florian Lejeune (7.05) garnered a higher WhoScored rating than Lascelles (7.04) for Newcastle in the Premier League last season.