Matias Fernandez-Pardo was one of Newcastle United’s headline-grabbing signings of the summer transfer window. The Belgian international has been brought in from Lille for a transfer fee north of €60 million.
The club had been negotiating over a move for weeks before ultimately getting the signing over the line on the deadline day of the summer transfer window. Better late than never.
If you ask me, this is one of those signings that is hard to predict. Fernandez-Pardo is highly rated. But at the same time, when you make this kind of big-money move to bring in a 21-year-old, an element of risk is always there.
Just look at how things went wrong for Nick Woltemade. One could argue that he was even more highly rated than Fernandez-Pardo. But a year later and he finds himself on loan at Juventus, and does not seem to have any sort of future at St James’ Park.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo makes his preference very clear after joining Newcastle United
Fernandez-Pardo is capable of playing in multiple positions. He has played as much as a centre-forward as he has on the wings. So, where does he want to play for Newcastle United?
Fernandez-Pardo has made his preference very clear. According to Chornicle Live, he said:
“I can play across front line. Still I do have a preference to play more central. But I’m still somebody who wants to help the team. I will do everything I can for the team but certainly if I could play down the middle that would be my preference.
“I have been following the team’s matches and I have seen that the team is very ambitious and wants to attack and get forward, really chase teams and go after them. That is something I really want to take part in as well.”
Of course, when a player arrives on a €60 million transfer, he is going to have his preference. Now, it remains to be seen if Jaissle is able to fit him in that role in this current setup.
Yoane Wissa’s form might make it difficult for Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Yoane Wissa has looked fantastic up top for Newcastle United at the start of this season. He has looked like a player reborn in the last few months.
Wissa scored three goals at the World Cup for DR Congo and has looked just as good since returning to Newcastle United following the tournament. On current form, it is almost impossible to drop him from the team.
At the same time, can Newcastle United leave Fernandez-Pardo on the bench following his big-money move from Lille? That does not seem ideal either.
So, this could turn out to be a bit of a headache for Jaissle. But so far, the manager has shown the ability to deal with tough situations. The fans should back him to do the same here.
