Kevin Mbabu has not been shy in outlining his desire to prove Newcastle United made a 'mistake' letting him go. The full-back made just five senior appearances before the Magpies decided to cut their losses and allowed the academy graduate to return to his native Switzerland.
Six years on from his Newcastle exit, Mbabu is back in the Premier League and could face his former employers for the first time at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Fulham have made a fine start to life back in the top-flight, and Marco Silva's side will be hoping to take advantage of an injury crisis which will likely see the Magpies deprived of several key stars.
Injuries hampered Mbabu's start to life at St James' Park after signing in 2013, and the former Servette prospect would not make a single start during a loan spell at Rangers. A temporary spell at Gateshead was mooted, but before long the full-back found himself catapulted into the senior setup.
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Steve McClaren would hand Mbabu his debut as a substitute during a dismal League Cup exit to Sheffield Wednesday, before he made a start in an unfamiliar left-back role against Chelsea. The future Swiss international earned rave reviews from the stands as he marked Pedro out of the game.
An assist followed in another start in a heavy 6-1 defeat at Manchester City, but a hamstring injury halted this progress. McClaren would go on to be replaced by Rafa Benitez, and limited opportunities coupled with the summer signing of DeAndre Yedlin in 2016 convinced Mbabu his time at Newcastle was up.
ChronicleLive columnist John Gibson said: "I always thought Kevin Mbabu was a talent. You could see the lad had something even though he only played five first team games, three in the Premier League.
"I always remember the impression he made upon me on his full debut against Chelsea. He was unlucky with injuries and United got rid but I thought it would not be the last I would hear of him."
Mbabu would go on to spend three years with Swiss side Young Boys, the first one which was on loan. It was during this spell where the defender truly got his career back on track, and earned his first senior international callup in 2018.
Mbabu was seen as the eventual successor to veteran performer Stephan Lichtsteiner, and would go on to start twice for his country at Euro 2020. While Mainz defender Silvan Widmer is currently the first-choice pick under Murat Yakin, the full-back has come a long way to even be involved after his frustrating spell with Newcastle.
Swiss football expert Craig King said: "His position in the Switzerland team since leaving Newcastle is night and day. He wasn't thought of in the setup during his time on Tyneside. It was his performances at Young Boys that catapulted him pretty quickly into that position and, while he is a sub more often than not, he is an important part of the team that will continue to be selected.
"The move to Young Boys really brought the best out in him though and showed how good he can be. It also helps that he played in one of the most dominant Young Boys' sides in recent years, but he was a major reason as to why they were so strong. After frustrating spells elsewhere, he was able to play to his attacking strengths."
Mbabu's form in a dominant Young Boys side inevitably attracted attention elsewhere, and a move to Wolfsburg followed in the summer of 2019. However, while the defender would go on to make 82 appearances during a three-year spell with the Bundesliga side, things again did not go smoothly for the now 27-year-old.
King explained: "In comparison to his two-year stay in Bern where he had played consistently, barring some injuries in the first season, his time at Wolfsburg saw his career stutter a little again. He eventually broke into the team and was a consistent starter before suffering an injury at the start of his second season.
"He did return again after the injury, but his performances were nothing to really write home about. He wasn't bad at Wolfsburg, but he certainly didn't take off like many had hoped once he had moved from Switzerland for the second time."
Against this now familiar backdrop of injuries and a battle to maintain a starting spot, a Premier League return this summer was no foregone conclusion. However, Fulham had monitored Mbabu for several years and made their move this summer after sealing promotion.
Cameron Ramsey, a writer for fan site Fulhamish, said: "Given Mbabu's vast experience both internationally and at club level in European competitions, I'd say Fulham supporters were very pleased when he joined. Signing a capable right-back was essential and at a reported €7.5m settlement, nobody could argue against it and he'll certainly prove his worth. Mbabu's quick, tenacious, and he also compliments our approach on the counter, so he's a welcome addition."
The Cottagers have made a strong start to life back in the Premier League, and the newly-promoted side currently sit sixth in the table ahead of a clash with Newcastle on Saturday. Victory could Fulham into a top-four spot, but Mbabu's second spell back in England has not been the smoothest so far.
The 22-cap international has so far started just twice for his new side, and was subject to criticism for his display in the defeat at Tottenham at the start of this month. Mbabu was also an unused substitute for both of Switzerland's recent Nations League fixtures.
Ramsey said: "Mbabu's integration has been relatively steady, he's chipped in with match-winning assists but he's also played himself into trouble, particularly against Tottenham. His involvement's been noticeable, and the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. There's more to come from him, that's for sure.
"Unfortunately for Mbabu, Kenny Tete's form has skyrocketed so it will be a tough ask for him to dislodge the Dutchman from the starting eleven. If he's to gain more game time, he simply has to remain focused and willing whenever he's called upon and I'm sure, in time, he'll feature much more regularly."
This start to the season means Mbabu will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench once again for the upcoming clash against Newcastle. Magpies supporters at the time questioned the decision to allow the full-back's exit, but six years on attention has turned elsewhere, given the impressive displays of recent recruits Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett.
One or two impressive performances against his former employers this season will not define whether Newcastle made a mistake in letting Mbabu go. It is still early days when it comes to his Fulham career, but it is clear that the latest transfer marks a critical juncture in the full-back's career.
King added: "The move to Fulham was surprising to me, but I think it was an exciting move at the right time. The word 'potential' has been banded around a lot in regards to Mbabu and, other than the spell at Young Boys, he hasn't been able to truly reach that potential.
"There is the feeling that he really has to grab this opportunity with both hands or he may end up back in Switzerland again, even though I truly believe he has all the tools to succeed in a top-five league. He has a point to prove in the Premier League after the failed spell with Newcastle and he is a very determined character, I think he could be just fine this time around."
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