It may be a strange thing to say that one of Newcastle’s stand out performers in the early part of the season has been a defender, but since joining from RSC Anderlecht in the summer Chancel Mbemba has been a breath of fresh air in the centre of defence. Compared to the alternative options in recent years: Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor, the abrasive and quick-thinking style of Mbemba is a method of playing that has been lacking in the heart of Newcastle’s defence in years gone by.
Chancel Mbemba’s story is a curious and refreshing one. Born into the civil war that affected large parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the 21 year old emigrated to Belgium in 2012 to play for Anderlecht’s youth team. Within a year, he was a regular first team starter at 19 years of age, attributed greatly to his determination and drive to succeed, stemming from the difficult upbringing in his native homeland. As one of nine children, football was a welcome release for Newcastle’s enforcer, amidst the turmoil his country was going through during the early part of his life. Contrastingly however, Mbemba brings a cool, calm and collected approach to his defensive performances, rarely looking flustered in possession and extremely robust in the tackle. In fact, it is Mbemba’s assurance with the ball at his feet that is a refreshing image for Newcastle fans, after watching Mike Williamson’s uncomfortable sideways passing for too many seasons.
It is painfully clear that Newcastle only have two clean sheets so far this term, but in both performances Newcastle’s enforcer has dealt excellently with the likes of Jonathan Walters, a notoriously physical attacker, and Wayne Rooney whose obvious talent requires very little explanation. In actual fact, despite the rampant Sergio Aguero show where United shipped six, Mbemba’s performances have been wholly consistent over the course of the season.
Fitting into the Premier League, the world’s toughest, after moving from a lesser competitive league in Belgium, was always going to be a difficult task, but Chancel Mbemba has coped better than many would have expected. For a young man of 21 who until recently did not speak a single word of English, slotting into a Premier League side alongside plenty of internationally renowned players has been an achievement. Upon signing The Chronicle previewed what was to come from the Congolese centre-half and their prediction has not been far off.
Mbemba’s interceptions and tough-tackling have been a feature of his style in his early Newcastle career, and is amongst the top Under-21 players in the division in terms of defensive stats. In comparison to his predecessors Mike Williamson, Steven Taylor and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Mbemba seems determined, alert and quick, a trio of qualities that neither of the aforementioned centre-backs all had at once. The closest to Mbemba’s consistent performances was the French international Yanga-Mbiwa’s short stint at the club. However, misused by the Pardew and Carver regime, Yanga-Mbiwa was often used as a deputy right-back instead of leading the line in his much more comfortable centre-back position.
This is something that Mbemba has not been subjected to, and allowing him to settle in at the club, in the country, in his preferred role on the pitch, is greatly important and will only continue his development as a top-class enforcer at the heart of Newcastle’s defence.
Chancel Mbemba, the lightning-quick defender in both mind and body is set for big things in the years to come, hopefully leading Newcastle United from the back with assured, secure defensive performances. Based on his early displays in a Black and White shirt, the 20 cap, Congolese international looks set for a promising future.
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