Rio Ferdinand says it is a ‘dream scenario’ for Newcastle to have star players like Kylian Mbappe playing at St James’ Park claiming ‘you want players like this coming to town’

Rio Ferdinand has claimed it is a ‘dream scenario’ for Newcastle to have star players like Kylian Mbappe playing at St James’ Park adding ‘you want players like this coming to town’.

Newcastle are currently in action against Paris Saint Germain, with the Champions League returning to the North West on Wednesday night for the first time since the 2002-03 season. 

Ahead of the game, Newcastle fans booed Mbappe as he warmed up in a jovial manner, but Ferdinand lumped praise on the 2018 World Cup winner claiming that he is the sort of player you want to see playing at your home ground and shows the club’s success in the past few seasons. 

He said to TNT Sports: ‘This is a dream scenario for Newcastle. You want players like this coming to town.

‘Even for us here. I could not wait to get here today just to watch the warm up let a lone the game because I want to see the way these guys move. 

‘What are they like in the warm up and how intense they are and the game kicks in and then pow. This is entertainment. This is what you want.’ 

The former Manchester United defender added: ‘He [Mbappe] is licking his lips.he’s thinking “you know I didn’t expect this. I didn’t know much about Newcastle I didn’t know much about their fan base – it’s loud. It’s hostile. 

‘Oh I’m ready and I’m engaged.” I think that’s how the big players are they don’t get scared – they don’t fear these type of moments. He’s played in bigger more grander grounds than this in his career. 

‘No disrespect to the Newcastle faithful. But this is a unique player I think the best player in the world today.

But it was Newcastle who would take the lead in the match with Miguel Almiron lifting the roof off St James’ Park.   

He sent the home fans into delirium after 17 minutes of the match, striking past Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal to put the home side one-up after a thirlling start to the match. 

They would double their lead before half-time, with Dan Burn heading in a cross from Bruno Guimaraes, which was reviewed by the Video Assisted Referee, before the referee awarded the goal. 

Jermain Jenas on TNT Sport’s commentary said on the atmosphere inside the stadium: ‘Well listen to that. Not only was it worth the wait for the home fans, but for the local lad Dan Burn as well.’