10 Newcastle Centre-Backs Chancel Mbemba Should Look To Emulate

8. Sebastian Bassong

Signed for £500,000 from Metz, Bassong was actually performed very well during the 2008-09 relegation season and was one of the few players to come out of that campaign with any credibility. Blessed with a good turn of pace and not shy to battle with physically-strong opponents, the Frenchman looked like a fantastic purchase. Unsurprisingly, however, with positive reviews in a relegated team, his head was turned and an £8 million move to Tottenham Hotspur was agreed in the summer of 2009, just one year after joining the Magpies. Since then, his career has somewhat fizzled out, with limited opportunities in north London before securing a move to Norwich City. Call it ambition or call it bailing out, few could really blame Bassong for leaving after relegation. He looked a powerful young prospect and, as with quite a few players who go there, saw his career stunted at White Hart Lane. In hindsight, the better decision might have been to stay at St James' Park and establish a partnership with Fabricio Coloccini. Now, Newcastle are still looking for another person to partner Coloccini - as well as become his long-term replacement. If Chancel Mbemba wants an example of how to settle immediately into the Premier League, Bassong is not a bad place to start.