Quite simply put, Charnley and Ashley are being tight cunts. Most clubs would take no risk with their promotion push, even if it meant having players on your books who we don't want come the summer.
By targetting long term, young players we are risking the short term. Do I think we will still be promoted? Yes, but why take the risk?
Aside from that though, is he actually that good. Just ambles about in midfield most of the time.
His touch is brilliant. He just never seems to actually do anything.
Lascelles, Clark, Hanley, Dummett, Gamez and Hayden is more than enough to cover at centre half for four month or whatever.
Well worth the risk to get Townsend back and ultimately secure our promotion. I like Mbemba, he's just not being used enough.