Matthias Jaissle backs Fernandez-Pardo, patience for Diables and Magpies
As the Red Devils were preparing to face Turkey at the Stade de France, the 21‑year‑old striker Matias Fernandez‑Pardo did not leave the bench, logging only thirteen minutes of play during the international break, and staying in the shadow of his teammate.
Limited playing time with the Red Devils
The assessment of those thirteen minutes was deemed feeble in international football. Van Bommel preferred Charles De Ketelaere, the Red Devils conceded four goals, and Alex Teklak believed that a profile like Openda or Fernandez‑Pardo would have added more threat in depth. Observers note that the player could have earned more playing time.
Promising debut with the Magpies
This summer, Fernandez‑Pardo's transfer to Newcastle's Magpies was confirmed for a fee of around €60 million. Arriving on September 1, he featured in four matches with the English club before heading off to Belgium. In Italy, he had replaced Mika Godts, then he reclaimed the CDK spot for the clash against France at the King Baudouin Stadium.
He started in the last two Premier League games, notably against Leeds where he played behind the centre‑forward. Supporters noted his constant pressing, but criticised his lack of physical impact and the absence of chance creation, sometimes demanding his presence on the left wing already occupied by Harvey Barnes.
Matthias Jaissle, the Red Devils' coach, said at a press conference: “He has everything to become a top‑level striker.” He added that the young player often positions himself in depth, possesses technical qualities and can also operate on a wing, which makes him hard to mark.
Newcastle’s coach emphasized the need for patience, recalling that Fernandez‑Pardo spent three weeks with the national team without playing much or training. “We need to give him time, we fully support him,” he affirmed, promising many outstanding performances.
The BELGA photo, credited to Bruno Fahy, illustrates the thirteen minutes the player received. The article, written by Gilles Joinau, notes that Fernandez‑Pardo’s future will depend on the confidence given by his coaches within the framework of Football and Sports.