OM: Chancel Mbemba’s Reinstatement Becomes Crucial to Straighten Out the Defense
Olympique de Marseille (OM)’s defeat against PSG (0-3) on Sunday evening highlighted the defensive shortcomings of the Marseille club this season. This new disappointment in the Classique has rekindled discussions on the importance of reintegrating Chancel Mbemba into Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, in order to restore stability to a defense that seems to give in to every pressure.
A Fragile Defense without Mbemba
Since Chancel Mbemba was excluded from the squad, OM has struggled to find a stable and solid defense. After the rout against PSG, many supporters demanded the return of the Congolese defender, emphasizing the importance of his experience for a struggling OM. The season had started well with four wins and a draw in five games, but the defeat against Strasbourg (0-1) revealed weaknesses that the positive results had until then hidden.
OM: A Defense that Creates Concerns
With only two clean sheets in nine games and a total of 11 goals conceded, OM has the worst defense among the top five in Ligue 1. Although Marseille’s attack has performed well so far (3rd in the championship), their defensive efforts have not followed. The match against PSG was a glaring example, where even Leonardo Balerdi, captain and defensive leader, was unable to hold up against the Parisian assaults, even scoring an own goal.
Mbemba: A Missing Leader for OM Defense
This season, OM seem to be seriously lacking in leadership in defense. Chancel Mbemba, with his charisma and reassuring presence, has played this role successfully since his arrival. In a duo with Samuel Gigot or Balerdi last season, Mbemba formed effective combinations that offered OM greater stability than De Zerbi’s experimental hinges with Lilian Brassier, Cornelius or Geoffrey Kondogbia.
The Urgency of Strengthening Defense with Mbemba
The reintegration of Chancel Mbemba becomes a priority for OM. His fighting spirit, experience and offensive qualities (with 6 goals last season) could well help Marseille fill their defensive gaps and provide a valuable asset in tight matches, especially when the attack is struggling.
Conclusion
The return of Chancel Mbemba to the OM squad could be the decisive element in finding a more compact and serene defense. By providing leadership and solidity, Mbemba represents a viable solution to avoid new disappointments and restore defensive balance to an OM in search of stability this season.
