Mbemba Reveals He's Played Right-Back "Once Before" After Making Newcastle Debut There

The recruit from Anderlecht made his NUFC bow in a somewhat unfamiliar position...

by Chris Waugh

Chancel Mbemba admits he was "proud" to make his Newcastle United debut - even if it was in a position he has only played "once before". The 20-year-old defender replaced Daryl Janmaat at right-back after 62 minutes of the Magpies' 1-0 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday as he made his Newcastle debut and St James' Park bow. Yet filling in on the right-hand side of a back four is a position which the £8 million recruit from Anderlecht claims is unfamiliar to him, and it took many inside St James' by surprise when he lined up at full-back too.

Newcastle's centre-back options are limited to say the least and, with captain Fabricio Coloccini still nursing an Achilles injury, it was expected that Mbemba would slot straight into the middle of the Magpies' defence in order to be ready to play there against Southampton in the Premier League this Sunday. McClaren, however, seemed to have other ideas for Mbemba, fielding him in a somewhat unfamiliar position. Mbemba, speaking to NUFC.co.uk, said after the game:
"It was a great day and I was really proud to hear the crowd clapping and shouting my name. I was glad to be able to get out on to the pitch and help the team. "I have only ever played there (right-back) once before, for Anderlecht, and never since but I am happy to play anywhere the coach and team need me to. I can't tell you how I did though - it is up to the coaches and the fans to tell you that. "But we can take confidence from our performance against a team who will be playing in the Champions League. "The Premier League season is just around the corner and we went out there and played well against a very good side. It has given us confidence to take into next weekend."
Will Mbemba start the Premier League opener against Southampton on Sunday? And if he does, will it be in the more familiar position of right-back? For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.

Contributor
Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.