Former Newcastle United proprietor Mike Ashley stays a deeply unpopular determine at St James’ Park, with the much-maligned businessman having overseen a dismal spell on the helm for effectively over a decade, previous to his long-awaited departure again in 2021.
That turbulent and poisonous interval – wherein the membership suffered two relegations from the Premier League – seemingly noticed the Englishman make notable blunders with regard to recruitment, particularly, having performed little to really contribute to on-field success.
One potential howler that the 58-year-old did endure was the sale of Congolese defender, Chancel Mbemba, with the commanding centre-back having since gone on to blossom following his departure again in 2018.
The former Anderlecht man had initially been snapped up on an £8m deal by the Magpies in the summertime of 2015, going on to rack up 59 appearances in all competitions over the following few years.
While the 6-foot brute was arguably not a enormous success on Tyneside – having regarded “out of sorts” at one stage, in keeping with membership legend Alan Shearer – it does seem to have been a mistake to not have continued with him, such has been the 65-cap titan’s shows then.
Should Newcastle have offered Mbemba?
No, completely not!
Yes!
It additionally seems an error to not have recouped a larger charge with the participant’s eventual sale to Primeira Liga outfit, Porto, as Ashley and co reportedly raked in round €8m (£7m) – a slight loss on their preliminary funding.
That determine has now been dwarfed by the 28-year-old’s present worth, with the Marseille man stated to be value within the area €25m (£22m), in keeping with CIES Football Observatory, making certain he’s now valued at round thrice what the northeast aspect have been in a position to promote him for.
After spending 4 seasons in Portugal – wherein he racked up 138 appearances in all competitions and received two league titles – Mbemba is now persevering with to thrive in France, after making the transfer to the Stade Velodrome through the summer time.
That free transfer change already seems one thing of a cut price for the Ligue 1 outfit, with the “formidable” rock – as just lately described by ex-Newcastle teammate Henri Saivet – having already scored four occasions and supplied one help in 29 video games in all competitions this season.
A number one determine in Igor Tudor’s aspect, the £87k-per-week powerhouse has averaged 1.2 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per sport from his 22 league outings, with that in actual fact a higher document than present Magpies star, Sven Botman, who has averaged 1.1 and 0.8 for a similar two metrics, respectively, from his 19 top-flight appearances.
Mbemba additionally compares favourably to these in his place in Europe, as he ranks within the top 4% for progressive carries and the highest 9% for progressive passes amongst his friends, illustrating his brilliance in possession.
With Eddie Howe and co more likely to be pursuing a new central defender within the close to future as a result of lack of depth outdoors of Botman and Fabian Schar, it might be of actual frustration that one of many membership’s former belongings is now impressing elsewhere.