Former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard has said that he cannot understand why the club has loaned Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa to Roma.

The 25-year-old joined the Giallorossi on a season-long loan on the final day of the transfer window, with an option to make the move permanent next summer.

"I really, really didn't agree with the club on that one," he is quoted as saying by the Newcastle Chronicle. "I can't understand it. I know Mapou and he has been the best defender in France for the past five years. He was regularly getting in the France squad and I was delighted when he came to Newcastle.

"But as soon as he came he was playing right-back, left-back and not enough in his proper position, which is centre-back. He is too experienced as a player to be playing right-back and left-back – he is not even left-footed.

"He just did not get a chance at Newcastle and when you see him getting in the France team and doing well for Roma, I just do not understand Newcastle's decision to allow him to go out on loan."

Yanga-Mbiwa has won three caps for the French national side.