Some Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter to express their frustration about how the club let Kevin Mbabu depart for Young Boys after his dazzling display in Europe.
The 23-year-old returned to his home country to join the Swiss side last summer, and bagged a goal in the second minute in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday night (22 August), which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The right-back had fallen down the pecking order under boss Rafa Benitez, and had only managed to make five appearances despite joining the Magpies in 2013.
After his display against the Croatians, the majority of Newcastle fans were left in awe by Mbabu’s performance but at the same time were fuming that the Magpies had allowed the former fringe figure to depart a year ago.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
I miss Kevin Mbabu
— Dan (@Yxdlin) August 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kevin_Nichol/status/1032496060579672064
Wasn't good enough for the toon. ??
— Chris (@kickabell) August 23, 2018
@NUFC And we let this guy go? Shaking my head
— Adam NUFC ???????? (@adsthead) August 23, 2018
Why We let him go I have no idea
— k hogg (@KieranHogg1) August 23, 2018
That lad should have been giving a chance at #nufc
— David Shepherd (@Dave_S26) August 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/stevetoon24/status/1032526076751343617
Welp, as the days tick on, looks like we let one slip away. Keep up the hard work @Kevin_Baboo
— Toon Army Portland?????? (@ToonArmyPDX) August 23, 2018
OPINION
Based on these tweets, a large section of Newcastle fans are frustrated that the club let Mbabu go back to Young Boys. His chances were very limited at the club, but based on this showing, he should have been given more chances to show what he was about. Mbabu is an attacking full-back, and this is exactly the type of player Benitez could have utilised. He failed to bring in any full-back cover and if they kept hold of Mbabu, they would not be facing the prospect of being exposed when injury strikes. Many supporters have questioned why they even let him go in the first place – and it looks like they will regret not keeping him on the books. At Newcastle, he was used as a left-back in the few appearances he made, but he has demonstrated his versatility by adapting to the role of a left-back for Young Boys. Benitez will be kicking himself if he sees this display – but as one fan put it, that is Newcastle’s fault for not letting their young talent get near the first team.