Steven Defour backs Porto move for Chancel Mbemba

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Jun 18, 2018. 09:00

Burnley midfielder Steven Defour is backing Chancel Mbemba’s proposed move from Newcastle United to Porto.

The DR Congo defender is keen on a move to the 28-time Portuguese champions, though at the time of writing the teams had yet to agree on a fee.

Defour, who played with Mbemba while at Belgian First Division A side Anderlecht, believes the Magpies didn’t get the best out of the African player.

He told O Jogo: "Mbemba is a tough defender in the individual marking, he is a fast player who has passing quality and who risks going out to play from the defence, he has a good aerial game, he has talent and qualities to impose on FC Porto."

Of his problems at Newcastle, Defour continued: "I think he just could not stay at Newcastle, because they made him play right-back, a position that is not his. It was a shame.

"He is strong from the mental point of view and knows what he wants. He has the ability to impose himself in a club like FC Porto."

Mbemba, 23, has been on Newcastle’s books since 2015, having previously played for Anderlecht and DRC side MK Etancheite.

He made his debut for the DRC national side as a teenager in 2012 and has accumulated over 40 caps in his career to date.