Newcastle United

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa: 'We can challenge for Champions League'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 27 April 2013

Yanga-Mbiwa: 'We can challenge for Europe'

Newcastle United defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa believes that there is no reason why the club can't challenge for Champions League football next season.

Newcastle United defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is confident that the club will not be fighting for survival next season.

The Magpies are currently in 16th position in the Premier League table, but Yanga-Mbwia is convinced that their struggles this season will not reflect their long-term future.

The 23-year-old told the Northern Echo: "Newcastle have shown me that they want to get back up there with the very best, the elite. There are also a lot of other things that give me confidence for the future.

"I can see that Newcastle have a really strong strategy and a real project to move forward in future seasons. First of all, we have to make sure that we can get back up into the top seven or eight.

"Next season, if we can be really motivated from the outset and start the season well, there's no reason why we can't challenge the top three or four."

The French international signed for Newcastle in January, and has gone on to make 16 appearances in all competitions.