Chancel Mbemba is a big fan favourite at Newcastle United but is reportedly set to leave the Premier League club this summer.
After leading Newcastle to safety and a potential top-half finish, Benitez has been given the green light to go out and spend this summer. The Magpies will make between £80 to £120 million from TV revenue and prize money, and it is understood that the former Real Madrid manager will be able to spend a large portion of that fee.
Benitez, however, is also allegedly keen to raise money through player sales.
And the Chronicle reports that Mbemba, the centre-back who cost £8 million from Anderlecht in 2015, will be sold this summer. Yet this might not go down too well with Newcastle supporters.
Mbemba, a likeable character and a combative defender, is one of the most popular members of Newcastle’s current squad and has become a real fan favourite since arriving three years ago.
But, as the calculated Benitez will attest, there is no room in football for sentiment, particularly if you want to push on and improve your position.
Mbemba enjoyed a decent start to his Newcastle career but has fallen down the pecking order since Benitez replaced Steve McClaren in March 2016. The 23-year-old has started just seven Premier League games this season.
Seemingly Benitez feels Mbemba is not good enough and the Spaniard’s judgement is usually correct. Newcastle fans may want to see the defender been given more of an opportunity rather than shoved out the door but Rafa, of course, knows best.
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