Chancel Mbemba has barely featured in a Newcastle shirt since Rafa Benitez became manager.
Chancel Mbemba was Newcastle United’s best defender when Rafa Benitez arrived at St James’ Park in 2016.
However, Jamaal Lascelles has since overtaken him, others have arrived and, somehow, a drop down to the Championship did the centre-back’s Newcastle career more harm than good.
Mbemba is pacey, good on the ball and versatile, yet Benitez does not appear to trust him. He has been largely limited to playing at full-back.
But the DR Congo international again showed his quality against Royal Antwerp in a friendly on Sunday, setting up the Magpies’ only goal with a gorgeous lofted pass through for Matt Ritchie. Selling him would be a mistake.
It seems very unlikely that Newcastle will be able to keep hold of a young former Champions League defender this summer if he is not playing, but they should do everything they can to hang onto him.
Mbemba’s athleticism and skill on the ball set him apart from most Premier League defenders, a combination that is complemented by his strength in the tackle too.
If Benitez is to regularly switch to a back five against the top teams as the signing of Kenedy suggests he might, Mbemba could be crucial. He is the ideal candidate to play on one side of Lascelles.
Should Benitez wish to do that, though, he may have his work cut out when negotiating with the ex-Anderlecht man this summer.
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