Federico Fernandez
Fernandez has been excellent for Newcastle since signing from Swansea on deadline day.
At the moment this is looking like a brilliant piece of business by Rafa. Fernandez since making his debut vs Chelsea has become a key player for us and now is probably one of the first names on the team sheet.
So far in the Premier League he has averaged 1.8 interceptions and 7.2 clearances per game, showing just how important Fernandez has become to the team.
Strength
Experience
Fernandez has brought years of experience to our backline having played in the Premier League for four years with Swansea and before that three years at Napoli. This experience at the top level has so far proven vital to Newcastle.
Weakness
Unnecessary Fouls
So far it is hard to find any weaknesses to Fernandez’s game but one thing which may cost us at some point, is his tendency to give away fouls in dangerous areas of the pitch. Against Bournemouth for example he was lucky not to give away a penalty.
Jamaal Lascelles
Captain of Newcastle United and just recently signed a six-year deal, Lascelles appears settled in the North East and has made over 100 appearances for the club. Last season he was excellent and deserved an England call-up, but unfortunately was not selected.
This season though an argument with Rafa over formation before the Chelsea game and a few niggles have led to a dip in form for the 25-year-old.
Despite this he still averages 1.8 interceptions per game and 6.6 clearances per game. These are similar stats to Fernandez and show that once he gets back to top form Newcastle have an excellent centre back and captain.
Strengths
Leadership
Lascelles won a place in supporters hearts a few seasons ago after a defeat to Southampton where he came out and slated some of the players in the dressing room.
Rafa then made him captain for the Championship season and Lascelles hasn’t looked back.
He can be seen constantly on the pitch organising the defence and handing out instructions to the rest of the team.
Lascelles is a vocal leader and seems to get the best out of everyone.
Weakness
Passing
Lascelles needs to play alongside a defender who is comfortable on the ball because he never seems to be and is much happier to clear the ball long than try to play it out wide or into midfield.
This can limit our options when we get possession.
Fabian Schar
Signed for three million from Deportivo in the summer Schar has had to be patient but an injury to Lascelles against Watford has provided Schar with an opportunity to cement himself in the back line.
He has not disappointed.
Schar is a very experienced Swiss international and since he has been in the side he has made 2.5 interceptions and 6.8 clearances per 90 mins in the games he has played.
These stats show that Schar has been excellent in all parts of the defensive game and when Lascelles returns from injury, he certainly is not guaranteed a spot back in the starting eleven.
Strength
Passing
Schar in the very few games he has had for us has shown that he has an excellent passing range, on Monday against Burnley Schar picked out Ritchie with numerous 50/60-yard balls.
He is also very confident of carrying the ball into the midfield and pushing the team up the field.
Weakness
Reading the Game
It is very hard to judge any weaknesses for Schar yet because of his limited game time but he has made two mistakes which have cost us goals.
One was against Nottingham Forest as he thought the ball was going out of play, but it wasn’t, and the Forest winger picked up the ball and crossed Forest scored.
He also gave away a penalty against Chelsea after been caught on the wrong side of Marcos Alonso.
Ciaran Clark
I have to be honest when we signed Clark, I was not convinced at all, but he has proven me wrong and though not first choice is a very solid option at the back for us.
Captained the side on Monday and popped up with a goal. Clark is very much a no-nonsense centre back whose first thought is to clear the danger.
He may not be the most glamorous player we have ever had but he is effective at his job and fulfills Rafa’s instructions.
Strength
Set Piece Threat
Clark this season has two goals and is actually our joint-top Premier League scorer.
He is not the biggest defender in the league but in his time at Newcastle he has scored some vital goals and when he is in the side Newcastle are always likely to score from set-pieces.
Weaknesses
Passing
Clark knows his limitations which means that most of his passes are long aimless balls up-field and this means that he rarely keeps possession for Newcastle.
When he and Lascelles play together Newcastle really struggle to build from the back.
Florian Lejeune
Lejeune is amazingly back in training after surgery on his knee when the initial prognosis was that he would be out for the season.
Lejeune last season formed a brilliant partnership with Lascelles. Lejeune’s skill-set perfectly complimenting Lascelles.
Lejeune was signed for around nine million and after a disrupted first half of last season became indispensable in the second. He averaged 1.4 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 6.1 clearances last year.
Strength
Passing
Lejeune has an excellent range of passing and contributed two assists last year, but he also started lots of attacks and often picked out Yedlin with cross field passes.
Newcastle have certainly missed this ability to start attacks from deep this season.
Weakness
Pace
Lejeune is not the quickest defender in the league and that was exposed a few times last season but when coupled with someone like Lascelles then this is not so much of a problem.
Overall then Newcastle have five very capable and competent centre backs which certainly as a set of five are arguably the best we have ever had in the Premier League.
Under Rafa as well they are coached by the best defensive manger, we have ever had so all of these lads are sure to only get better over time.
Stats from WhoScored.com
By Jack Cunningham
