Chancel Mbemba put in a stunning performance to help guide Porto into the Champions League quarter finals at Juventus’ expense last night.
The former Toon defender formed a brick wall alongside 38-year old Pepe to nullify one of the greatest players of all time in Cristiano Ronaldo.
His last ditch blocks, reading of the game and a never-say-die attitude helped get 10-man Porto over the line and knock out the Italian giants on their own soil in extra-time.
You can watch highlights from the five-goal thriller here:
It has been almost three years since Rafa Benitez sold Mbemba to the Portuguese giants, with the reported fee said to be in the region of £7m.
Signed during the Steve McClaren era, the former Anderlecht star was one of few who didn’t disgrace himself during that relegation season, with many fans admiring his pace, athleticism and ability to carry the ball out of defence.
Now 26-years old and performing superbly on the Champions League stage, he adds his name to the list of players who went on to achieve great things after leaving Newcastle United.
Did Rafa Benitez make a mistake letting him go?
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Great player. Benitez blind spot I’m sorry to say.
Groucho(Quote)
That’s funny!
If any player Bruce let go has since put in a single half – decent performance, Bruce gets slated as a clueless clown for letting him go.
Not a murmur on this one because it was Rafa.
I browsed down through the advertisements after the article trying to find the bit where you blamed Bruce for letting him go!
AndreaB(Quote)
How many players have Newcastle managed to mismanage over the years, either though rank bad management or gross deriliction through club policy.
The mind boggles….!
Pirciestreet(Quote)