Port Vale Fail 11: Chris Mbamba
His arrival was arguably the most bizarre of a raft of scattergun signings by Bruno Ribeiro and it’s fair to say it wasn’t a success…
Time at the club:
2016-2017
The case for the defence:
Since leaving the Valiants, Mbamba has seemingly done enough to attract the attention of the Kenyan national team and earned a place at their 2019 training camp (although he has yet to make the national team). Perhaps he has ability after all?
The case for the prosecution:
Admittedly there’s much more of this.
Bruno Ribeiro took over as Port Vale manager in 2016 seemingly with a new broom. In the summer of 2016 sixteen players were brought in – many of whom were virtually unknown to Vale fans and more importantly completely untested in League One football.
While some of Ribeiro’s signings appeared to have some pedigree – several had played in the top divisions of the Portugueese Leagues – Mbamba’s was arguably the most bizarre. The 24 year-old was playing for Hamarkameratene in the Nowegian third division and in his previous spells he had never risen about the second division in Sweden.
The club’s ninth signing of the summer, Mbamba agreed a two-year deal. It seemed a remarkable gamble on a complete unknown. Perhaps the Valiants had spotted a rough diamond? Sadly, it proved to not be the case.
Mbamba agreed a two-year deal. It seemed a remarkable gamble on a complete unknown. Perhaps the Valiants had spotted a rough diamond. Sadly, it proved to not be the case…
Mbamba made his debut in the opening game against Bradford City but it was clear he was far from the finished article in League One. Blessed with rapid pace but little else, even the manager who had signed him, Ribeiro, seemed to be unwilling to play him. In August, he made five brief sub appearances but didn’t feature again until October.
In total, Mbamba ended his only season with the club with two starts (both in cup competitions) and eight sub appearances. He had made next to no impact during his time on the pitch. It was a sorry return especially when documents apparently revealed that the winger had bizarrely been one of the club’s top earners that season.
It was no surprise at all when Mbamba agreed a severance package in the summer of 2017 and left the club. It still seems odd that he had joined it in the first place.
Playing record
Games:
2+8
Goals:
0