Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has been impressive in the heart of the team's defense.
The club skipper was out of favor last season under manager Eddie Howe, rarely starting Premier League games.
However, the injury to Sven Botman has meant that Lascelles has gone back into the starting lineup.
"I never doubted Jamaal's ability," ex-Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey told ChronicleLive. "I know he's had his doubters and he would probably be the first to admit that he is not as comfortable as Fabian and Sven in possession, but Jam is a real leader of men and a real warrior and he knows how to defend.
"It looks to me like he has improved so much on the ball as well.
"Eddie got that out of him and one thing with Jam is he's always willing to learn. He deserves every single bit of praise he is going to get now."