Yanga: I want to play with the best players

When Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa joined Newcastle United in the winter transfer window, he became the latest in a wave of French speakers to join the Premier League strugglers. The 23-year-old former Montpellier defender is one of ten French players in the Magpies squad, and is now working hard to earn a regular place in central defence. "It's a new league and a new team, he told FIFA.com. "It's not easy!." Yanga-Mbiwa's first league start came last weekend in a 1-0 defeat by Swansea City, the kind of result that Newcastle cannot afford to repeat too often after their disappointing first half of the season. By and large, however, results in 2013 have justified the club's French-flavoured recruitment policy. Newcastle's new signings have helped lift the side clear of the relegation zone, with Moussa Sissoko in particular showing fine form since his arrival. To some, Yanga-Mbiwa's decision to leave his formative club halfway through the season to join a team fighting for Premier League survival seemed a gamble. But the man himself has long dreamed of playing in the English top flight, and believes he is well equipped to succeed. "There's good football here, and people are passionate about football," said Yanga-Mbiwa. "The fans live for their club, they're always behind their team and they do everything to help them perform as well as possible. There's also a great tactical culture and recognition for good bits of skill on the pitch, even defensive ones. There's everything I need here to thrive." From :FiFa