Newcastle’s Lascelles stays off TikTok to avoid Mbappé ahead of PSG Champions League game

Group F of the 2023-24 Champions League has been dubbed this season’s “group of death” by many, with seven-time winners Milan and knockout-round regulars Borussia Dortmund facing off against nouveau riche duo Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain. The latter two teams meet at St James’ Park on Wednesday and Magpies defender Jamaal Lascelles has revealed his troubles dealing with French superstar Kylian Mbappé before a ball has even been kicked.

In an interview with British newspaper Mirror, 29-year-old Lascelles was asked about how he plans to halt the Real Madrid target, considered amongst the favourites for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Lascelles “dreams of playing against Mbappé”

“Have I studied him? I already know how he plays because he has so many clips on TikTok! You see them all the time! Every time I look.

“You want to play against him. It is something I dream of. There won’t be sleepless nights. It is just a massive opportunity for us. But I will stay off TikTok for a few days. He is probably the best player in the world. We have to be professional and get the job done.”

Mbappé's superb start to the 2023-24 season

Mbappé, of course, had a well-publicised falling out with PSG in the summer after both refusing to sign a new contract or leave the club, but has started the season in superb fashion, scoring eight times in seven appearances in all competitions, including the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Dortmund on matchday one.

Lascelles, meanwhile, will almost certainly get the chance to put his Mbappé TikTok studies into practice on Wednesday after fellow centre-back Sven Botman suffered a knee injury before Newcastle’s Premier League win over Burnley at the weekend. Despite being club captain, Lascelles only featured (as a substitute) in one of his team’s first six matches of the season but should now make a third consecutive start, with Botman ruled out until November.