Rafa Benitez hasn’t got much wrong during his two and a bit years at the club, however one call that continues to baffle NUFC fans is his decision to sell Kevin Mbabu – with the Swiss full-back showing what a talent he is against Man Utd this week.
The full-back was replaced with Javier Manquillo in the summer of 2016, yet his career has gone from strength to strength since being sold to BSC Young Boys – with him now a regular in the Swiss national team and performing impressively at Champions League level.
Here’s what NUFC fans and neutrals have had to say on Twitter after watching him in Champions League action at Old Trafford on Tuesday night – a game Young Boys narrowly lost after a 90th minute goal from Marouane Fellaini:
Can't see Kevin Mbabu staying with Young Boys for too much longer – a very talented right-back. Would do a lot better in the Premier League now than during his spell with Newcastle
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) November 27, 2018
You do get the feeling that perhaps Kevin Mbabu could be another one who got away.
Wish the lad the best of luck. https://t.co/CUHzeGip4i
— The Spectator's View (@thespectoview) November 25, 2018
Mbabu isn't good enough for but is good enough to play in the champions league for young boys? How does that work? #NUFC
— Parcell, Danny L (@Official_DLP23) November 27, 2018
Kevin Mbabu (23) – Champions League 2018/19 – tackles won and attempted:
6/7 • vs Manchester United (H)
3/4 • vs Valencia (H)
3/6 • vs Valencia (A)
4/4 • vs Manchester United (A)Tenacious, and up to the test. ? pic.twitter.com/PdM6IUfdWj
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) November 28, 2018
Good to see Kevin Mbabu playing against ManU. Always thought he should have been persevered with at @NUFC .
— Gordon Wilson (@stangorwil) November 27, 2018
I must say, I’ve watched him a few times since he left Newcastle – both for Young Boys in Europe and in the UEFA Nations League for Switzerland and he really has looked the part.
Then again, I’d argue he always look to have something about him when he was handed rare first-team chances at Newcastle a few years ago.
It’s easy to say we shouldn’t have sold him in hindsight, but when a player shows genuine Premier League potential yet is replaced by Javier Manquillo, it’s easy to see why we’re now left scratching our heads..
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It was almost like rafa thought that Dummet was the better long term full back option. I always like him in that he could play RB or LB and always looked solid defensively and going forward. He seems to have fallen out with Rafa or his bk room staff coz he was never really given the opportunity to shine. Would love for us to resign him.
Nufc11(Quote)
I love the way you say Rafa hasn’t got much wrong but various sections of the fans are complaining about every player that he’s moved on or loaned out.
Toney, Armstrong, Mitrovic, Gayle, Merino, Gibson, De Jong, Cabella, Thauvin, Woolston, and now Mbabu.
Yep – Rafa’s hardly put a foot wrong!
Brrrian(Quote)