OPINION
Newcastle United should be in no rush to sell Chancel Mbemba despite him barely being used in the recently concluded season.
The 23-year-old centre-back is contracted to stay at the club until 2020 and has proven himself to be useful enough, that the club don’t have to hurry him out the door.
However that seems to be exactly what the Magpies are doing.
The Chronicle previously reported that Mbemba was set to be sold in the summer as he had managed just 11 senior appearances across all competitions, with Celtic being keen to scoop up his services.
Nieuswblad then reported that the 23-year-old was attracting the attention of Belgian duo Standard Liege and Anderlecht and that Rafa Benitez himself was even keen to get the enforcer off the books at St James Park.
The Belgian newspaper even stated that the club were willing to take a hit on the £8million they paid Anderlecht for Mbemba when they signed him in 2015.
This action suggest the defender is pointless to the Magpies or that the club wouldn’t be able to recoup their investment in him, both statements that are untrue.
Mbemba in the 59 appearances he has made for the Magpies has shown his useful versatility, as he can play as a centre-back or a left-back, and that makes him a useful member of the squad when it comes to depth.
While that hasn’t translated to opportunities in the first-team this season, there’s no saying it won’t next season, as he capable of doing a job for the current Magpies’ side.
Even though Benitez may truly have given his blessing and have his heart set on never playing Mbemba again, the current reported exit plans for the defender should still be ripped up.
At the age of 23-year-old and due to the fact he is contracted to the Magpies until 2020, the club don’t need to take a hit by selling him for less than £8million this summer.
The smart move would be loaning the enforcer out and watching his value shoot back up, as his talent will clearly be proven at a club that regularly plays him.
The Magpies must be aware of how a player’s value can skyrocket on loan, as after bringing Kenedy to the club on loan from Chelsea in January, his value no doubt shot up due to impressive performance at St James Park.
In fact Benitez referred to the fact that his impressive displays, as quoted Sky Sports, saw his “value” go up and a loan spell for Mbemba away from the club would have the same effect.
Therefore the Magpies must rip up the current plans in place for the rarely-used Mbemba’s exit and either keep him as cover or loan him rather than sell him straight away this summer.
