After 20 years Newcastle United are back in the Champions League, and during that time many players have come and gone from St James; Park. Many of the players to leave the club have gone on to win major honors in football’s best competitions.
But who out of the recent Newcastle departures could be making their return to St James' Park in the Champions League next season?
Here we take a look at some of the familiar faces the Magpies could face next term in Europe's top competition.
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James Tavernier
The former Newcastle right back has gone on to become a club legend at Rangers since leaving England for Glasgow in 2015. The Englishman barely featured in his time on Tyneside but has made over 400 appearances for Rangers and scored over 100 goals for the club.
He could make his return to Newcastle for the first time in a competitive environment should Rangers make it through their qualifying stage.
Mikel Merino
The Spaniard has gone on to become a main feature in the Real Sociedad side after leaving Newcastle in January 2018 just six months after singing permanently. Merino has gone on the make his first international appearance for the Spanish set up since leaving the Magpies, earning 13 caps for Spain since 2020.
Merino will always be remembered as one that got away from Newcastle, but he could be set to return to St James' Park should both Newcastle and Real Sociedad escape their groups.
Massadio Haidara
Perhaps the most surprising of the potential players to return is the former Frenchman, who will be most remembered for his horrific leg break suffered in a challenge with Callum McManaman. The left back, now 30-years-old, featured 30 times for French side RC Lens last season and helped them to a second place finish behind only PSG.
He left Newcastle in 2018 on a free transfer but now he is set to make an appearance in the Champions League, and he could be reunited with his former club if both Newcastle and Lens get out the group stages.
Chancel Mbemba
The DR Congo international left Newcastle after their promotion back to the Premier League in 2018. He spent three years with FC Porto in Portugal, before moving to current club Marseille last season. The defender has ammassed over 30 appearances already in the Champions League and despite only scoring one goal for the Magpies, he netted seven goals in his first season in France. Leading Marseille to a third place finish in Ligue 1.
Should Marseille qualify for the group stages, Mbemba could make a return to the ground he was once serenaded by Newcastle fans as a ‘class defender’.
