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Newcastle United: The twists and turns of Chancel Mbemba’s season

By Roy Emanuel

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Newcastle player Chancel Mbemba in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Stoke City at St. James Park on September 16, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 16: Newcastle player Chancel Mbemba in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Stoke City at St. James Park on September 16, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /
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“He walks along the open road of love and life, surviving if he can…”

Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez will want to use their current three-week break in Premier League action to work on fitness and tactics, while keeping an eye out for players who can make a positive impact in the final eight games of the season. Defenders will be needed in different ways, but it would be surprising to see Chancel Mbemba on the back-line moving forward.

The 23-year-old made nine appearances for the Magpies and made several starts early in the term, with injuries and the strong form of others in the team combining to limit his minutes. Mbemba has not made any league appearances in 2018 thus far.

The defender’s last match for United was in the club’s 3-0 loss at Chelsea in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/964164787264540672

Mbemba arrived on Tyneside in July of 2015, an addition from Steve McClaren in the hopes of boosting the defence.

Signs were promising early on, as he appeared in 33 Premier League games during that relegation-bound campaign.

However, once Benitez took over as manager, Mbemba has found consistency in the line-up to be elusive.

The summer could bring a change of scenery

When injuries hit the Toon in the season opener with Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune, the Congolese international was there to fill the void (making many FPL owners quite happy too).

However, more was expected of Mbemba at this point and Benitez does not necessarily seem to see him as a starting option. He has displayed great versatility playing in a left-back position as well as centrally, although confidence in him is not where it should be.

After initially signing a five-year deal, the club may decide to sell this summer if Benitez does not envision a starting role on the horizon.

Next: Newcastle United's all-time top ten midfielders

Newcastle United know that Chancel Mbemba is a talented and skillful defender, and those qualities have to be showcased soon before the two must go their separate ways.