Newcastle United signing Dan Burn from Brighton & Hove Albion led to Ciaran Clark being axed from their 25-man Premier League squad, but he’s not the only defender with an uncertain future at St James’ Park.
Clark is likely to be sold in the coming months as he’s surplus to requirements, but Federico Fernandez could be following him through the exit door. The 33-year-old is out of favour under Eddie Howe and fell down the pecking order months ago, so the writing is on the wall.
Fernandez joined Newcastle from Swansea City in 2018 and has gone on to make 89 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals with four assists. The Argentine international has made just seven appearances this season, last featuring in December 2021.
He was dropped from the starting lineup in October and Howe’s arrival a month later didn’t improve Fernandez’s chances of playing. He’s amassed just 84 minutes of Premier League football since the managerial change and isn’t even regarded as cover for the regular starters.
Dan Burn and Fabian Schar have formed a formidable partnership while Jamaal Lascelles has been on the bench, so Fernandez doesn’t have a chance of playing unless injury strikes. Newcastle want to sign another centre-back this summer too, so the 33-year-old without a top-flight appearance in 2022 might be the one being upgraded.
In other news, it’s over for Ciaran Clark at Newcastle United
