Mercato: Chancel Mbemba, a Leopard in the Marseille rearguard
Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba, here in the colors of FC Porto, celebrating a goal scored on February 6, 2022. AFP - MIGUEL RIOPA
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
2 mins
Chancel Mbemba signed up for three seasons with Olympique de Marseille on Friday 15 July.
The defender arrives in the free Marseille city after four seasons at FC Porto.
The Congolese international reinforces the Marseille defensive sector, while the club will return to the Champions League in this 2022-2023 season.
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After the change of coach, now is the time to renew the workforce in Marseille.
Jorge Sampaoli left
, Igor Tudor arrived, and now the Croatian coach can count on a new element.
In addition to Samuel Gigot (ex-Spartak Moscow) and the young Isaak Touré (ex-Le Havre), a third defender has just signed with OM during this summer transfer window.
The club announced it at the end of the day on Friday July 15: Chancel Mbemba is an Olympian.
The Kinshasa native, who will celebrate his 28th birthday in August, has signed a three-year contract with Marseille.
The vice-champions of France did not have to pay compensation to
FC Porto, Chancel Mbemba's previous club
, because the player had reached the end of his contract in Portugal, where he has played for the past four seasons.
See this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mbemba (@chance22)
A hoped-for asset for the return to the Champions League
Passed by Belgium with Anderlecht, England with Newcastle and therefore Portugal with the Dragons of Porto, the Congolese will discover a fourth European championship.
The former resident of MK Etanchéité, with his 26 appearances in the Champions League and his 8 matches played in the Europa League, must bring more to OM.
The Marseille club is qualified directly for the next C1 and will be in the third or fourth hat in the draw for the group stage, scheduled for August 25.
“
His speed, his power, his impact in defensive duels as well as his many European matches, make this true warrior a very good player, mature and whose experience will benefit our team.
Chancel Mbemba will provide all his energy and talent to enable the club to achieve its objectives
”, comment the Ciel et Blanc on their website.
International for more than ten years with the DRC selection, Chancel Mbemba has 66 caps, for four goals scored.
He was part of Florent Ibengé's team which finished in
third place at CAN 2015
.
He also converted his shot on goal in the match for third place against Equatorial Guinea.
In club, the Congolese was also champion of Belgium once and champion of Portugal twice, among others.
At OM, he will join
his compatriot Cédric Bakambu
and will wear the number 99, the Professional Football League having decided to modify its rules and no longer prohibit jersey numbers beyond 30. On lnstagram, Chancel Mbemba has announced his arrival using the Marseille motto: "
Officially straight to the point.
»
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