---
title: "Fans have set the bar too high for Mbemba"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2015/08/08/fans-have-set-the-bar-too-high-for-mbemba/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Bore"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2015-08-08T21:17:47Z"
modified: "2015-08-13T09:42:24Z"
---

# Fans have set the bar too high for Mbemba

With Newcastle’s first game of the season fast approaching, I began searching for the fans’ thoughts on who should start against Southampton. While various different attacking line-ups were predicted, almost everybody included Chancel Mbemba at the heart of the defence in their selection and this got me thinking. Are the expectations of the Geordie faithful on Mbemba a tad unrealistic?

He has established himself as a regular for DR Congo, but they are ranked 59th in the world, behind the likes of Cape Verde Islands and Trinidad & Tobago. I do not mean to disrespect the central African country, but the competition for places in their national football team is certainly not the greatest. In fact, the third most capped defender in their most recently used squad was Gabriel Zakuani who currently plies his trade for League One side Peterborough.

‘Regardless of the country, to establish yourself as a regular in the national side at his age is a huge achievement’ is probably the thought on everybody’s mind now and therein lies my next issue – his age.

At 21-years-old, Mbemba is the youngest defender in the senior squad, yet many are demanding he is instantly handed a spot in Steve McClaren’s starting XI. Meanwhile, England U21 regular Jamaal Lascelles, who was very highly-rated before signing for Newcastle, has been completely overlooked.

![Newcastle United v Borussia Moenchengladbach - Pre Season Friendly](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2015/08/483100954.jpg)

Newcastle signed Lascelles last summer in a double swoop for him and Karl Darlow for £7.5million, but he was immediately loaned back to Nottingham Forest. He remained a first-team regular at Forest, albeit in the Championship, and accumulated a total of 62 appearances before finally joining up with the Magpies this summer. He has previously been courted by Arsenal and Spurs, among others and has been likened to a young Rio Ferdinand.

Now, I am not trying to argue that Jamaal should start tomorrow, nor am I debating whether he is better than Mbemba, but the decision to disregard Lascelles entirely when considering tomorrow’s line-up on the basis that he lacks experience seems bizarre – especially when you consider the stature of the league that Mbemba gained his ‘experience’.

I would rather embed Mbemba slowly and, as much as I hate to say it, start Mike Williamson (*if Coloccini is unavailable*) for tomorrow’s game. A substitute appearance for the youngster would make more sense to me, rather than throwing him in at the deep end.

I must stress that I am not questioning Mbemba’s ability, but rather the thoughts of the fans believing he is the best defender at the club. Football fans are fickle nowadays and I have no doubt that these fans will be quick to question Mbemba should he struggle in his first few Premier League appearances. If he does, those currently desperate for his inclusion in the starting line-up will soon be branding him ‘overrated’ or a ‘flop’ and that type of attention is the polar opposite that a young defender looking to build confidence needs. Patience is required in this instance.