Fernandez-Pardo tells Newcastle he wants central role as attacking plans become clear
After months of interest, Newcastle United finally struck a deal to sign long-term target Matias Fernandez-Pardo last Tuesday.
NUFC Blog were first to reveal the club's admiration for the Belgian back in May, identifying the 21-year-old as the ideal replacement for Anthony Gordon as a young forward capable of playing out wide or centrally.
Four months later, Fernandez-Pardo is a Mag, and he appears to have a very clear idea of where he wants to play under new boss Matthias Jaissle.
Fernandez-Pardo wants No.9 role
According to Craig Hope at The Mail, Matias Fernandez-Pardo has told staff on Tyneside he wants to play as a central striker at Newcastle.
It's believed that the former Lille star made this clear during talks with Newcastle last month, having ended the 2025/26 campaign in France as their centre forward.
And Hope reveals that this is exactly where Jaissle plans to use Fernandez-Pardo, who is set to compete with an almost-fit Will Osula for that No.9 role.
This would leave Yoane Wissa and Joe Willock competing for that No.10 role in Jaissle's 4-2-3-1 system, with Wissa starting the opening game against Liverpool in a slightly withdrawn role, just behind Osula.
Jaissle still working out his best 11
It's a good problem to have, but these options in attack highlight the tricky job Jaissle faces in picking his best 11 once everyone is fit.
£51m man Fernandez-Pardo will start when up to speed, you'd assume, then Wissa will likely be his go-to man in that second striker role.
Harvey Barnes has the left side nailed down for now, Anthony Elanga is our starting right winger after two goals in three league games so far.
In midfield, £50m signing Nico Gonzalez will be expected to partner one of Lewis Miley, Sean Steur or Jacob Ramsey, with Aladji Bamba currently further back in the pecking order and Joelinton's suitability to this 4-2-3-1 currently in question.
At the back, Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman are the first choice pairing, for now, with Lewis Hall at left-back, Amar Dedic's superb start keeping Tino Livramento at bay, and new No.1 Lukas Hornicek in goal.
