Nicolas Isimat-Mirin: The Center Back Answer?

Because of Demba Ba's exit and Loïc Rémy's aborted entrance, Newcastle's striker search has dominated the January window. But arguably the club's greater need is at center back. The brief flurry of concern over Fabricio Coloccini's future left fans pondering a dismal future with Mike Williamson as the number one option in the back line. Though Steven Taylor is due back from injury any day now, he's only made 30 league starts once in his career - and that was five years ago.

However, if gossip is to be trusted, Newcastle scouts are indeed watching for defenders in France, and the most commonly linked player has been Nicolas Isimat-Mirin of Valenciennes. A French under-21 international, Isimat-Mirin is one of Les Bleus' top young prospects. So when Valenciennes made a relatively rare appearance on American TV Sunday, playing Nice, it seemed worth watching to see how the 21-year-old in action. It wasn't a particularly encouraging sight.

First, the good: in a rapid-fire sequence around the 10-minute mark, Isimat-Mirin showed why Graham Carr has been giving him a look. He demonstrated his strength in preventing a Nice player from turning and shooting from close range, then flashed his pace and reading of the game by nipping in to clear what looked to be a sharp through ball. After that, it was basically all downhill.

At the stroke of halftime, Isimat-Mirin was late in reacting to the run of Nice striker Dario Cvitanich, then backed off and let him rip a shot into the corner from the edge of the box. Then, with his team on the back foot early in the second half, he botched a clearance after a free kick, tapping the ball directly to grateful Nice defender Renato Civelli for an easy goal.

Throughout the match, he looked awkward on the ball, seemed to subscribe to the "anywhere will do" school of passing from the back, and shanked a couple balls entirely - including one that the announcer on beIN Sport could only describe as "interesting distribution."

Other than the individual errors, the disconcerting thing was how much Isimat-Mirin seemed to be channeling Williamson, looking hesitant in the midst of a Valenciennes team that appeared bereft of ideas offensively. Obviously, it was just a one-match sample. But there certainly wasn't anything about his performance that indicated he'd be comfortable jumping into a Newcastle team fighting relegation. 

It's not clear whether Newcastle has the option between Isimat-Mirin and last year's primary target at center back, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa. Given the latter's pedigree of having captained the Ligue 1 champions, and his ability to spearhead the attack the way Coloccini often does, I'd take him in a heartbeat over a 21-year-old still finding his professional legs. 

Also in action for Valenciennes was another reported Newcastle target, left back Gaëtan Bong. His qualities were more flashy and obvious than those of Isimat-Mirin, as he raced down the flank much like a left-footed Davide Santon. But like Isimat-Mirin, Bong was at fault for two Nice goals in the 5-0 defeat. Of course, the presence of Santon and Mathieu Debuchy makes one wonder how much effort the club would truly exert to bring in another fullback. Clearly, Newcastle has far more desperate needs elsewhere.

Comments

[MichiToon25]

Good to see someone writing about adding to our central defense. With all the hype about Remy (and now Siem De Jong from Ajax) I think a lot of fans are forgetting how crucial it is that we add to the back line. And, for what...3 transfer windows now!? Don't get me wrong, I full believe we need a new spark up front, but the deficiences in the back are glaring, and have been for way too long.

[89Norcal]

MichiToon25, you are right. Our backline has been very fragile. It's a wonder how we had so many clean sheets last season.

Was reading another article about Yang M'biwa, who was a top target for us at CB, but apparently he has heavy links with Arsenal and Man Utd already. Be very hard to hijack that one.

Maybe if we pull a Redknapp and double his wage offer :)

[Matt]

I tend to side with the club about not throwing money around recklessly, but would do whatever it took to get Yanga-Mbiwa in. By all accounts, he had his bags packed to go to NUFC a year ago. Not bringing him in may be the biggest transfer mistake of the post-Championship seasons.

I will be watching Isimat-Mirin again whenever Valenciennes is back on TV to see if Sunday's match was a one-off. It almost had to be. A shocker, as they like to say over in England...

[rob]

Another transfer window that we get hammered on.

[9NUFC]

Heard "rumors" MA is attempting to pull a major coup by landing Ince or Zaha in this window. Again just rumors, but sure would be nice for this wee club to stick it to old sour puss!!

Comments on real and actual transfer business... I am glad we didn't sign up Remy, he looks to have put on some weight these past couple years. Glad to see we didn't rush to judgement and throw additional wage dollars for him, as it may have upset the dressing room further.

I agree we need at least 2 new CB in and IF Colo leaves 3 in... one can only hope the Colo finish the season and strong. I like the looks of Yanga-Mbiwa and Isimat-Mirin, but I also thought we should have made a play for Shawcross before he signed his new deal at Stoke. I also wouldn't mind seeing Lescott on loan or even permanent deal, but realize he is out of our age model and probably wages too.

Lastly, I think its time for Carr to start wearing disguises across the world when scouting for us... maybe old Floppy Chops and other sad saps won't recognize him and we can get some players across the line without this Remy sort of crap.

That is all, for now.

BlackWhiteForeverForeverBlackWhite

[Jaeger]

im expecting one more player to come... a defender ...not necessarily a CB which is what we need but with the usual disappointments by management i dont have alot of hopes for this window...

would like sissokho to come in... don't really know any good possible forwards available relatively cheap. i'll take leon best back though...better than nothing