Newcastle United’s Congolese centre-back is reportedly being offered to Crystal Palace which may have repurcussions for Wolves’ transfer hopes.
When Newcastle United suffered the ignominy of relegation last season, at least the fans could hold onto the fact that, in Chancel Mbemba, they had a defender of real Premier League quality to aid their promotion bid.
Therefore, reports in The Chronicle that Rafa Benitez is ready to sanction his departure to Crystal Palace just shows how rapidly he has fallen out of favour at St James’ Park.
After all, few expected Aston Villa’s Ciaran Clark, the Republic of Ireland international at the heart of one of the worst defences in Premier League history, to get a kick in a Newcastle shirt, let alone oust fans’ favourite Mbemba from the XI.
Yet, Newcastle’s most consistent player in 2015/16 has started just seven Championship games this season and, according to The Chronicle, will be offered as bait in The Magpies’ attempts to bring Andros Townsend back to Tyneside.
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However, while Clark and captain Jamaal Lascelles have formed an effective partnership at the back, making a mockery of the Coloccini-led axis of recent seasons, Mbemba’s departure would leave Newcastle rather short of options – which could have frustrating implications for one team’s reported interest in another out of favour Magpie.
In fact, ex-Blackburn man Grant Hanley is the only other senior centre-back in the squad and, without a single league start since August, has clearly failed to convince Benitez that he is worthy of a place in his team.
And, according to The Sun, Wolves have identified the Scotland centre-back as an ideal January signing with Paul Lambert demanding more experience in a backline that has conceded its fair share of avoidable goals this season.
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Benitez is unlikely to let two of his four centre-backs leave the club mid-season, meaning if Mbemba goes Hanley might be handed a lifeline on Tyneside.
Though that doesn’t help a Wolves side desperate for additions at the back.
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