Mapou Yanga Mbiwa

We're being linked in the French press to a move for Mapou Yanga Mbiwa. He's a strong and quick 22 year old centreback who is captain of Montpellier Herault, who're joint first in Ligue 1. He's learning English and desperate to play in Premiership, although he supports Man Utd.

This is via https://twitter.com/#!/mattspiro/ who relays a lot of info from the French league and press.

According to WhoScored he has a big weakness though, he's statistically **** at defending crosses and winning aerial challenges despite standing 6'. So would have to fill in / cover the Colo role.

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Sounds like a good player, and WHAT AN EPIC NAME!!!

 

Im scared of centre backs/french centre backs we get from the french league/other clubs.


It doesnt usually end well.

 

There's probably a humorous anagram to be made from his name.

 

Iguana map may bow.

Ba, you mag aim pawn.

 

He's class on Fifa, that's all the scouting we need, surely.

 

He said he doesn't want to be cover though. He isn't going to move to sit on the bench. He wants to play.

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-n...rs/1306/38/newcastle-target-learning-english?

The 22-year-old Montpellier defender revealed to France Football that he is brushing up on his English - although learning Geordie could be a whole other matter.
"I take English classes,” he admitted. “If one day I need it then it will have been worth it. I would look at any proposals. But it's true that England is a crazy place, but especially there they live for football."
“
I take English classes. If one day I need it then it will have been worth it. I would look at any proposals.
”
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa
The Bangui-born star, who has represented France Under-21’s, also let slip that Alan Pardew will face stiff opposition from a number of Ligue 1 clubs if he wants to add him to his growing French contingent.
"Lille really appeal to me, they are a team that plays well. I take pleasure in seeing their matches but for now I am a Montpellier player," he added.
"PSG are one of the largest teams of France, as are Lyon and Marseille. If possible PSG is a challenge that would interest me. I would not go somewhere to stay on the bench though. I always want to play.”

 

Collocini and Taylor back up would be great

 

A yaw bum mop again

 

According to Bano it is, anyway.


I don't wanna be the one to say this but... Colo's replacement?

 

That's what I thought as well

 

A replacement without curly hair? Are you mad?

 

It seems crazy I know. We can get him a wig.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing...Colo still hasn't signed his contract and we've seen it too many times - Nolan, Barton, Enrique (currently Simpson) - Until the writing is on the contract, its on the wall as far as I'm concerned!

 

Aye, it seems all too obvious. Colo hasn't signed, we're linked to a new CB, who doesn't want to be back up.

 

Just seen his name suddenly sprout up, been loads of silly links lately though.

Its nice to be linked with a centre back for once however.

 

Boumsong

 

Certainly wouldnt hurt to have a replacement ready for Colo. He's not looking likely to leave but we'd look stupid if we didnt have a backup plan. If we're serious about Europe he could be rotated with both Colo and Taylor though.

 

Can he play in midfield though? If not then he can **** right off.

 

I think he can possibly play DM. Was reading about him earlier and the way they talked about him suggested he hasnt always been a CB.