After a turbulent transfer window, it was to be expected that Newcastle United would need a sustained period of time before they were to be a success in the Premier League.
A whole host of senior players departed St James’ Park during the summer window, which even led to a managerial change as Eddie Howe departed after just shy of five years at helm.
Matthias Jaissle is the man to be the beneficiary of his departure, and has already spent a pretty penny on Tyneside which has seen the arrival of one big-money addition.
How Fernandez-Pardo has started life at Newcastle
Following the departure of winger Anthony Gordon, it was vital Newcastle improved the frontline if they were to be competitive throughout the 2026/27 campaign.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo was a late summer addition to cover the loss of the Englishman, subsequently joining the Magpies from Lille for a reported £51m.
The big-money investment was seen as one for the immediate and long-term future, but it’s safe to say he’s taken longer to settle in than many would have anticipated.
The Belgian has started just two league games since his arrival on Tyneside, but only registered a single shot – placing him below 97% of other attackers in England’s top-flight.
He’s also completed just 69% of the passes he’s attempted to date and created 0.5 chances per 90 – with both figures ranking him in the bottom 10% of all players in his position across Europe.
|
PL mins for Newcastle attackers (2026/27) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
PL minutes |
|
1 |
Yoane Wissa |
440 |
|
2 |
Anthony Elanga |
235 |
|
3 |
Jacob Murphy |
182 |
|
4 |
Matías Fernández-Pardo |
159 |
|
5 |
William Osula |
56 |
|
6 |
Bazoumana Touré |
50 |
|
7 |
Nick Woltemade |
19 |
The 21-year-old’s lack of impact in attacking areas is further evident in his tally of 1.1 line-breaking passes per 90 – the lowest of any forward in Jaissle’s squad.
How Jaissle can help Fernandez-Pardo settle into life at Newcastle
There’s no denying Fernandez-Pardo has struggled to impress in the Premier League to date, but the youngster will likely need time to settle and reach his full potential.
However, Jaissle will have to take some of the blame for his recent poor performances, as the manager has utilised the Belgian in a somewhat unfamiliar role.
During his two starts for the Magpies, the winger has been asked to operate in a centre-forward role rather than his preferred left-wing role, which earned him the big-money move.
He started 89% of his league games in such a position during his final year at Lille, but he’s yet to do so since arriving for £51m during the recent window.
If he is to be a success this campaign, the German boss must look to hand the Belgian international an opportunity to start from the off in his more natural position.
How Newcastle can land an elite-level Fernandez-Pardo upgrade
Handing Fernandez-Pardo a start over Harvey Barnes at present could be a tricky ask though, given the remarkable form of the Englishman in recent weeks.
The 28-year-old has registered three goal contributions during the first five games of the Premier League campaign – with such a figure the most of any player in Jaissle’s squad.
The Belgian therefore could be a long-term option to replace the former Leicester City man, but even then he could struggle if the hierarchy completes a move for Antonio Nusa.
It’s been reported in Germany that the Magpies are still keen on a move to land RB Leipzig star Antonio Nusa in January despite failing to land his signature during the summer.
However, a battle for his services could well be on the cards, as it’s also been reported that Premier League holders Arsenal are keen on a deal for the Norwegian.
Any move would also be an extremely expensive one for Jaissle’s men, as the Bundesliga side have placed a €60m (£52m) asking price above the 21-year-old to fend off any interest.
Such a figure may seem excessive, but his stats from this season showcase his talent in attacking areas and highlight why he’s already a class above Fernandez-Pardo.
Nusa has started four games in Germany’s top division this term and has managed to register a remarkable tally of two goals and two assists in the process.
The aforementioned figures demonstrate the attacking quality he possesses in front of goal, something which the big-money Newcastle man has so far been unable to do.
His underlying stats also make for excellent reading, as the Norwegian international has managed to dominate the Belgian in a plethora of key forward departments.
Nusa has managed to create a staggering 1.9 chances per 90 so far this campaign, subsequently placing him above 80% of attackers in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Such a figure is also nearly four times higher than that of the former Lille attacker, which demonstrates his ability to allow those around him to improve their own goalscoring figures.
The biggest asset to the RB Leipzig star’s game is his relentless dribbling ability, which has seen him complete 3.2 successful dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga this campaign.
Like his chance creation, he’s bettered 94% of forwards in Europe in such a department, with Dougie Critchley claiming the forward possesses “world-class potential.”
It’s certainly early days into Fernandez-Pardo’s career in England, and the supporters will need to manage expectations if the summer addition is to be a success.
However, the possible move for Nusa would only push him further down the pecking order, but would hand the club the elite-level attacker they have been craving of late.
