Emile Mpenza

[Harv]

Manchester City have confirmed that Belgian striker Emile Mpenza is on trial at the club.

Mpenza said earlier on Thursday that he was hoping to win a switch to The City of Manchester Stadium.

Having left Qatar-based club Al Rayyan recently, the 28-year-old is free to move outside of the transfer window.

Stuart Pearce failed to add attacking reinforcements to his squad in January but offered Mpenza the chance to earn a contract with City.

The former Schalke man has been training with the club and impressed in a behind closed doors match against Blackpool on Wednesday.

Mpenza found the net in a 3-0 win for the Premiership side and could be the answer to Pearce's striking problems.


what ever happened to this guy? He was one of the most promising strikers in Europe 7 years ago. Always looked good when i saw him for Belgium.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Never really made it did he

[cobain]

No offence, but I can't remember a Belgian player who was any good ever... Btw, this Mpenza guy surely isn't a native Belgian, innit? :)

[dww]

No offence, but I can't remember a Belgian player who was any good ever... Btw, this Mpenza guy surely isn't a native Belgian, innit? :)

Enzo Scifo, was Belgian wasn't he?

[tomasjj]

No offence, but I can't remember a Belgian player who was any good ever... Btw, this Mpenza guy surely isn't a native Belgian, innit? :)

they were in the world cup quarter finals sometime in the 80s I think.
It was a decent team - Gerets was their defensive chief and Ceulemans a very good target man.

[dww]

Did Emile have a brother called Mbo who also played football, or am I just dreaming that.

[cobain]

Did Emile have a brother called Mbo who also played football, or am I just dreaming that.

You're spot on. I think both of them played for Belgium. :handshake:

[Chiccada]

No offence, but I can't remember a Belgian player who was any good ever... Btw, this Mpenza guy surely isn't a native Belgian, innit? :)

Luc Nilis???? Before having to retire??

[tomasjj]

Luc Nilis???? Before having to retire??

He was good.
And Enzo Scifo, who has been mentioned

[Slim]

Didn't Belgium get to the semis of the 86 World Cup?? Maradona scored a wonder goal against them. They had a good team then.

[tomasjj]

Didn't Belgium get to the semis of the 86 World Cup?? Maradona scored a wonder goal against them. They had a good team then.

I thought quarterfinal at first, but I think you might be right.

[Joey Jones]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/6365365.stm

Manchester City have completed the signing of Belgian striker Emile Mpenza until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
He has joined City as a free agent having ended his contract with Qatar side Al Rayyan.

The 28-year-old, who was on trial at City, played in a specially-arranged match on Wednesday, scoring the second goal in a 3-0 win against Blackpool.

Mpenza has won over 50 caps and played in Germany with Schalke and Hamburg.

The Belgian will be unavailable for Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Preston.

[AFII]

He has had the same problem as a lot of quick strikers, hamstring injuries.