Terms of use dolor sit amet consectetur, adipisicing elit. Recusandae provident ullam aperiam quo ad non corrupti sit vel quam repellat ipsa quod sed, repellendus adipisci, ducimus ea modi odio assumenda.
Disclaimers
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Sequi, cum esse possimus officiis amet ea voluptatibus libero! Dolorum assumenda esse, deserunt ipsum ad iusto! Praesentium error nobis tenetur at, quis nostrum facere excepturi architecto totam.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Inventore, soluta alias eaque modi ipsum sint iusto fugiat vero velit rerum.
Limitation on Liability
Sequi, cum esse possimus officiis amet ea voluptatibus libero! Dolorum assumenda esse, deserunt ipsum ad iusto! Praesentium error nobis tenetur at, quis nostrum facere excepturi architecto totam.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Inventore, soluta alias eaque modi ipsum sint iusto fugiat vero velit rerum.
Copyright Policy
Dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Sequi, cum esse possimus officiis amet ea voluptatibus libero! Dolorum assumenda esse, deserunt ipsum ad iusto! Praesentium error nobis tenetur at, quis nostrum facere excepturi architecto totam.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Inventore, soluta alias eaque modi ipsum sint iusto fugiat vero velit rerum.
General
Sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Sequi, cum esse possimus officiis amet ea voluptatibus libero! Dolorum assumenda esse, deserunt ipsum ad iusto! Praesentium error nobis tenetur at, quis nostrum facere excepturi architecto totam.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Inventore, soluta alias eaque modi ipsum sint iusto fugiat vero velit rerum.
Join 10k+ people to get notified about new posts, news and tips.
Do not worry we don't spam!
GDPR Compliance
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.
As is standard with Dutch players coming through the youth system, it’s normally the big two â Ajax and PSV â who have first dibs on the best talents coming through.
But Mbuyamba â full name Xavier Tshimanga Kamaluba Ntite Mukendi Mpoyi Mbuyamba â slipped through the cracks.
And he was ignored by the national team at youth level too.
“It is strange that they never came, but the same applies to the KNVB,”; Mbuyamba told Dutch TV station RTL.
“I was called up for the first time [to the U19s squad] in November 2019. The staff immediately said that they thought it strange that I had never been noticed before.”;
At 16 Mbuyamba broke into the MVV Maastricht first teamImpressed by his talents, Patrick Kluivert recruited Mbuyamba to the La Masia academy
CLUB BREAKTHROUGH
Mbuyamba made his debut at the age of 16 in the unfashionable Dutch second division with hometown club MVV Maastricht.
Soon, the world’s biggest clubs starting taking notice of him.
Chelsea also registered their interest, and he trained with the West Londoners for a week.
But, swayed by the prospect of appearing in Barcelona’s B side and then the first team, he opted for the move to Spain in 2019.
Mbuyamba had hoped to break into Barcelona’s B side this seasonDespite impressing for Barcelona’s Under-19 team, Mbuyamba found his chances of progression limitedMbuyamba bravely decided to leave Barcelona by mutual consent
WHERE DID IT ALL GO WRONG?
Mbuyamba’s hopes of prospering with Barça hit a halt when the B side refused to give him a starting role.
Having starred for their Under-19 team in central defence and at right-back, it was hard for the ambitious centre half to stomach.
However, a divide between La Masia and the B team was said to be one of the reasons for Mbuyamba’s lack of opportunity at a higher level.
He also had hoped a loan deal would help him gain valuable first-team experience, but Barcelona saw it differently.
Initially, they demanded around ã1.8million for his talents. But his contract was cancelled by mutual consent, and he became available as a free agent.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Chelsea were one of four Premier League clubs who made offers to Mbuyamba.
Real Madrid, Juventus and other European giants were also monitoring the situation.
With his action again limited, his mood was worsened by the Blues refusing to let him go out on loan in January 2022.
Mbuyamba has been compared to Virgil Van DijkWest London is Mbuyamba’s next destinationMbuyamba has made a solid start with FC Volendam back in the Netherlands
Powerful aerially, Mbuyamba boasts that same rapid recovery speed Van Dijk utilises to snuff out danger.
He’s also remarkably comfortable in possession, given his height, and is at ease playing the ball out of defence.
Graham Potter will be gutted he didn’t get the chance to get a tune out of him at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground.
But should he continue to impress with Volendam â described as a “step up”; from Chelsea by Mbuyamba â the defender remains confident he can get his big break on the world stage.
Speaking after his Eredivisie debut in September, he said: âMany people think that Chelsea to FC Volendam is a step down, but I see it as a step up.
âI go from U23 football to the Eredivisie. If I play a lot, I can develop well. Thatâs it really. There was interest from Eredivisie clubs, and I had a very good feeling here.
âFor my development, I chose FC Barcelona. I learned a lot there. I actually wanted to go straight to Chelsea, but they got a transfer ban.
âThen I went the following year. There I experienced a lot and developed myself.
âI want to play one, two, three seasons here. As soon as Iâm ready, Iâll hopefully make the step to the top of the Eredivisie.â
Flying Eze
Prev Article
Meet Bellator star Luke Trainer, the ‘Marcus Rashford of MMA’ who helps kids in foster care
Next Article
Liverpool fans fear new white away kit is ‘CURSED’ after losing all their games in it this season including Forest