12 Newcastle Successes (And 12 Failures) Scouted By Graham Carr

6. Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa

Signed: 2013 (from Montpellier) Transfer Fee: £8.5 million Position: Centre-Back Newcastle United Appearances: 46 (2013-14) Newcastle United Goals: 0 Current Club: Roma

Newcastle allowed Yanga-Mbiwa to depart on loan for the 2014-15 season to Roma - a deal which soon turned into a permanent £6 million transfer - despite the fact they had just three out-and-out centre-backs in the squad at the time. Yanga-Mbiwa struggled during his time on Tyneside, no doubt, but he was often played out of position - and he did captain Montpellier to the Ligue 1 title, so he does have some class. While Newcastle were struggling to send out an entire back four during the 2014-15 season, Yanga-Mbiwa was playing well in the Champions League with Roma and helping them to claim second spot in Serie A. In a way this proves that Carr actually chose well with Yanga-Mbiwa - even though he was, once again, already well known in France - but the fact that Alan Pardew did not rate or want the defender shows the weaknesses in Newcastle's current recruitment system. There's no point in Carr signing a player, no matter how good they are, if the manager simply isn't going to pick them. Add to that the fact the Magpies lost £2.5 million on Yanga-Mbiwa and this signing was certainly a failure. Signing Rating: 3.5