5 most improved players from Europe's top leagues in 2017/18

#5 Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle)

Leading by example: Lascelles was impressive and importantly, consistent as Newcastle finished tenth

Another player in this list whose exclusion from a World Cup squad had caused confusion, is Newcastle captain and influential centre-back Jamaal Lascelles. The 24-year-old leads by example on the pitch with consistent performances and crucially, his physical presence was needed during a tough campaign on Tyneside.

Newcastle finished a respectable 10th place this past season but the fact that only 11 points separated themselves from Swansea and Stoke - both of whom were relegated - speaks volumes. Lascelles himself scored match-winning goals against the pair in September, which stood them in good stead after starting the new campaign with back-to-back defeats.

Lascelles netted three goals during a strenuous but beneficial campaign on Tyneside

However, the Magpies struggled in their search for a regular goalscorer who would help to fire their European ambitions under Rafa Benitez. So with that in mind, they had to remain defensively solid, especially against top sides as the battle for regular points continued to intensify as the season progressed.

It's easier said than done. While still as aerially dominant as he was in the Championship, Lascelles has looked to improve his tackling accuracy and subtly done so too. He won 19 tackles and committed almost 50% less fouls than the previous campaign, culminating in two fewer bookings as a result.

23 blocks, 25 interceptions, fewer mistakes and an improved total duel percentage against tougher opponents - it's clear to see that Jamaal is leading by example.

His centre-back partnership alongside Florian Lejeune still needs work, but the Frenchman's untimely injury saw their form dip from Christmas time to early February. As the better of the two, if Lascelles had sustained an injury, the effects would have been much worse.

With just under 3,000 league minutes under his belt, Jamaal was Newcastle's most utilised first-team player and importantly, silenced critics who suggested the return to Premier League football would prove too much to handle.

It's no surprise that FA Cup winners Chelsea and Tottenham have both been linked with his signature, despite Lascelles' insistence that he's happy at Newcastle.