Newcastle United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday afternoon and Federico Fernandez was a notable absentee from the starting eleven and matchday squad. The 32-year-old featured regularly under Steve Bruce but has been frozen out since Graeme Jones took caretaker charge.
Bruce was sacked by Newcastle on October and Fernandez was left out of the matchday squad for Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace three days later. His omission against Chelsea now raises questions over his long-term future at St James’ Park.
Many supporters on social media are surprised he’s no longer getting opportunities, as he’d skippered the side just days before Bruce was axed.
The Argentinean international has made five Premier League appearances this season, last featuring in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 2. Fernandez is out of contract in 2023, but it remains to be seen if he’ll see out the final two years in the North-East if he’s not playing.
Jones has opted for three central defenders since he took caretaker charge, so it’s even more baffling Fernandez isn’t one of them.
Fabian Schar has been relegated to the bench, so the temporary boss doesn’t believe it’s worth having another central defender on the bench. Regardless, Fans clearly feel Jones is making the wrong decision leaving him out.
In other news, Dwight Gayle gets over Chelsea defeat with picture on IG of chef and Jacob Murphy
