When Rafael Bentiez undertook his root-and-stemÂrebuild of Newcastle United over the course of the summer, one of the major departments of his side in need of surgery was in central defence.
While the Spaniard’s arrival did ultimately lead to a sterner back line towards the end of last season, this is a team who had conceded 53 goals by March 2016 and one who had almost entirely capitulated in a defensive sense. Captain Fabricio Coloccini had seemingly thrown in the towel, and Steven Taylor’s black and white-beating heart couldn’t make up for his weary legs.
Naturally, both were shown the exit door during the summer, leaving a wealth of experience behind them, though it’s hard to imagine many tears were shed.
So, Benitez’s decision to hand the relatively inexperienced Jamaal Lascelles captaincy as he built an entirely new squad from the ashes of the Alan Pardew/John Carver and Steve McClaren eras was initially met with some raised eyebrows. Indeed, the fact the Toon’s new leader would be paired by Ciaran Clark, a man who had struggled to convince at Aston Villa of all places, may have looked like a risky move as they attempted to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
In truth, both Lascelles and Clark have been absolutely vital to Newcastle’s table-topping form ever since. The former, excepting a few poor games, is growing into his role with the armband with every passing game, it seems, and finally gives the home crowd a focal point of reference, something that has been missing from St. James’ Park ever since Coloccini gave up the ghost following his failed move to San Lorenzo in January 2013.
Clark, meanwhile, is surely up there with Dwight Gayle as Benitez’s best signing thus far, giving Lascelles a formidable defensive partner, as well as his manager a palpable goal threat from set-pieces.
As things stand, there’s really no reason why these two wouldn’t be given a fair crack of the whip should Newcastle make it to the Premier League, especially with Lascelles impressing towards the back end of last season.
Still, there is another man upon which Newcastle can build their defence. A certain Chancel Mbemba.
In a situation not unlike to another man signed from Anderlecht over the course of the 2015 summer transfer window, Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Congolese has found life difficult in the second tier. Having made only eight appearances this season, the defender doesn’t seem to have earned his manager’s trust.
In fact, it’s widely accepted that his performance during the 2-0 defeat to Wolves back in September, a game in which he scored an own goal, is one of the major reasons the 22-year-old has found the route to the first-team hard to hurdle. Considering the burgeoning Lascelles-Clark partnership, it’s been easy to forget his presence in the squad altogether.
So his recent social media post reaffirming his commitment to the cause put him back into the limelight somewhat. Despite his lack of playing time, Mbemba seems up for the cause and, while that might seem the least you’d expect from a professional footballer, it’s not always something Newcastle have had in their players over the last few years.
Sure, having the desire to play is one thing, but there’s little doubt he can actually back it up. Noted for his athletic ability last season, Mbemba gives Newcastle another dimension when at his best. Able to bring the ball out of defence, his pace and power are aspects that could compliment both Lascelles and Clark in the Premier League, even if he a little rash at times.
In the Championship, teams rarely take the game to the Toon Army, who are then forced to try and break down their opposition, something they struggle with when Jonjo Shelvey has an off day. Having someone comfortable enough to provide an extra body in midfield would help in those type of games, especially if Newcastle’s bread and butter points next season (pending promotion) are to come against compact teams competing towards the lower end of the league. Â
During his excursions with his national team at the African Cup of Nations, he was even deployed in a holding midfield role, such is his physical presence and ability to get across the middle of the park. Jack Colback has regressed somewhat, making Isaac Hayden’s absence even more glaring, and the Magpies haven’t had a midfield ‘destroyer’ since Cheick Tiote lost any trace of form over two years ago.
Interestingly enough, he also affords Benitez the option to deploy a three-man defence. As good as Lascelles has been, the skipper can often look like a man overcome by nerves and the former Nottingham Forest defender is not without a mistake in him. We’ve seen what impact a defensive triumvirate can have amongst the English elite and having a man who can give Benitez such tactical fluidity cannot be a bad thing.
Lascelles, Clark and Mbemba playing in a three-man defence would then allow DeAndre Yedlin to operate as a right-wing back and the American’s searing pace has been of Newcastle’s most effective attacking outlets this term. A new signing at left-back may be required, but the option to switch systems is an immeasurably exciting notion on Tyneside, considering the stagnating feeling around the club, which played a huge part in their relegation.
There’s likely to be interest in Mbemba during the summer, whatever division Newcastle find themselves in. Linked with Crystal Palace over the course of the January window and even Arsenal in the summer before that, he’s unlikely to be short of too many suitors over the next few months.
For Newcastle’s sake, they cannot afford to sell a Premier League-quality players in waiting, if they are going to make a real go of things there themselves.
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