A page has been turned this summer with the unexpected departure of Eddie Howe. Matthias Jaissle took over from him a few days before the start of the season and must deal with certain elements arriving late. This is the case with Matías Fernández-Pardo (21), whose signature was obtained on September 1, in the last hours of the transfer window, in exchange for €65 million. It was time for the file to come to fruition. The player wanted to leave to play on the upper level, and had been rejected by LOSC. After two first appearances where he came on during the match, the Belgian had the opportunity to show his value to his coach by starting against Leeds last Monday.
But the least we can say to him is that he missed out, like his entire team, largely beaten 4-1. Starting in a central attacking midfielder role integrated into a 4-2-3-1, Fernández-Pardo played in support of Wissa, helped by Barnes and Murphy on the wings. He played for just under an hour (57 minutes) where he only touched 18 balls, before his replacement by Joe Willock. The Magpies were already down 3-0… Flagship recruit of the summer (5th biggest transfer in the club’s history all the same), he was inevitably going to be observed closely. The disappointment lived up to expectations and the English press had a field day.
An evening to forget
“ Matías Fernández-Pardo went almost unnoticed in his debut as a starter », began The Athletic in his report of the match counting for the 4th day of the Premier League. The media noted that “ he did not touch a single ball in the penalty area during a first half in which Newcastle managed only one shot, in the 40th minute when the score was already 2-0. » The Chroniclelocal media in Tyne and Wear, is not kind to the ex-Lille either. “ His nervousness set the tone for an evening to forget » is written in reference to a scare with a missed clearance in the 2nd minute.
Everyone agrees on the difficulties of Matías Fernández-Pardo for his first start with Newcastle United, where his first minutes against Bournemouth at St’ James Park were well received. Social media hasn’t been kind either. It has even been compared to “ a rabbit caught in the headlights. » He will have other opportunities to show himself in a better light. This goes for the collective as well. 12th in the Premier League, the Toons are off to a sluggish start to the season after losing numerous executives this summer (Tonali, Guimaraes, Gordon). “It’s difficult to accept, but it’s an opportunity to learn. There is not much time left before the next home game to show that we know how to react“, Jaissle simply commented after Monday evening’s defeat.
