Mbemba delivers reminder to Benitez
No player in the Benitez era has proven to be such a divisive topic amongst supporters as Mbemba. The 23-year-old is clearly a talented defender, as evidenced during his debut season when he was a stand-out player in the Newcastle side that were relegated, but isn’t trusted by Benitez.
Many supporters were encouraged by the prospect of Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles cultivating a strong partnership in the Championship last term after ending the previous campaign in imperious form. Except the DR Congo international posted a series of unconvincing displays as United lost the first two games, with Benitez citing Mbemba’s inability to follow instructions and poor command of English for exiling him from the starting XI.
And Mbemba has barely played since, managing only 14 appearances, most of them as a left-back, and he last played in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea in January. So the former Anderlecht centre-back’s performance against Antwerp, which included an eye-catching sprayed pass to Ritchie for Newcastle’s goal, was a timely reminder to Benitez of his talents and his yet-to-be realised potential.
