10 Newcastle Centre-Backs Chancel Mbemba Should Look To Emulate

5. Nikos Dabizas

Signed from Olympiacos in March 1998, Dabizas was a cult favourite throughout his time on Tyneside, especially after netting the winner in the Wear-Tyne Derby in 2002. The Greek international, who also won the European Championships in 2004, stayed at the club until January of that year, when he left the club as his opportunities were restricted. While many will remember him for being toasted by Dennis Bergkamp at St James' Park - which no centre-back in the world could have done any better with - he was a reliable and hard-working defender who was an important part of the team that reached the 1999 FA Cup final and was also a mainstay in the side that finished fourth under Robson. Intense and combative, he led a group that didn't get the credit it deserved as a defensive unit and, with the way he played, you can understand why he was well liked on Tyneside - even if a goal against the Mackems certainly helps on that front.