Newcastle’s Lascelles stays off TikTok to avoid Mbappé ahead of PSG Champions League game
The Magpies captain has banned himself from the social network as clips of Real Madrid target Mbappé appear “all the time”.
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.
✈️ Direction Newcastle @KMbappe pic.twitter.com/zPwLqeY5Bf
— ًً (@mbappe7fr) October 3, 2023
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.
❌ Sandro Tonali
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 3, 2023
❌ Sven Botman
✅ Callum Wilson
❌ Joelinton
Newcastle United’s injury worries build up as they prepare to welcome Kylian Mbappé and the rest of the PSG squad tomorrow. 🤕 pic.twitter.com/RraGAn71tp
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.