So first things first, what can we expect from Chancel Mbemba? What are his strengths?
Chancel Mbemba is a good defender; he’s good on the ball and has great passing skills. He is strong tactically and reads the game well. He is powerful in the tackle and his decision-making is excellent. He doesn’t hesitate when he needs make a challenge. For a 20-year-old, (more on that later) he has a big physical presence and he is strong when defending the ball.
What are his areas in need of improvement and where does he need to develop?
Aerially Mbemba needs to improve, he’s much better on the ground. He needs to be better with his head and more combative when challenging for the ball in the air, he needs to be stronger and tougher with his opposite number. Also whilst at Anderlecht he had Silvio Proto (the keeper and skipper) behind him and it was Proto who communicated a lot. Mbemba needs to play in front of a confident, authoritative goalkeeper that he trusts and who will help organise him.
Given the Newcastle back four is in limbo, is Mbemba good enough to take a first-team slot straight away?
I’m not sure because the level is much higher than in Belgium. I guess he will struggle at first with the physicality of the league and I don’t think that he is ready to be playing 90 minutes in the Premier League.
Even though he has had experience and success in the Champions League?
That was only 6 games spread across several months and they lost most of the time anyway! In the Premier League it will be every week and there will be much greater expectation to succeed, especially in the games at home. At Newcastle, they will have to win more often than Anderlecht managed in the Champions League.
What kind of player does he suit playing next to in the centre of defence?
He needs a partner with a lot of experience, because he is still learning and he can make mistakes. At Anderlecht, he was usually paired with Olivier Deschacht who is very experienced and this helped him a lot. But Deschacht (who is 35) is too slow and this caused problems at the back.
Given the struggles that Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa had adjusting to the English game, and there seem to be several similarities between the two, does Mbemba have what it takes to for the Premier League?
I have my doubts that he will succeed in the Premier League. It’s always a guess with foreign players and I think that he has to adapt to the English footballing culture. I think he could suit Newcastle and he does have potential but he needs to develop to become a top player.
And of course, the big age question! How old is he? And does it matter?
Yes, there are some doubts about his real age. I’ve got a good contact with a top European club and they were sure he was born in 1988. They checked it and they didn’t want Mbemba anymore, that’s why he didn’t go there. If he is 26 then he wont be able to develop as much, if he signs a 5-year contract he will be 31 already at the end of it.
And finally how are Newcastle seen in Belgium?
In Belgium, Newcastle are known for Phillipe Albert! Although the younger generation don’t know him anymore. We are spoiled with Belgians at Chelsea, Man United and Man City; Fellaini left Everton, Alderweireld is moving up from Southampton and Mitrovic also knows he can grow to a bigger team. Maybe Mitrovic can be like Pelle was for Southampton, score a lot of goals and surprise everyone. I can imagine Mbemba wants to play in the Champions League again in the future but step by step, he must develop to reach that standard and Newcastle must hope his age wont be an impediment to it!
