Newcastle United drop Matias Fernandez-Pardo selection hint ahead of AFC Bournemouth clash
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is set to make his Newcastle United debut against AFC Bournemouth - but will it be from the start or from the bench?
Newcastle United boss Matthias Jaissle has hinted that Matias Fernandez-Pardo will be on the bench for the Premier League clash at home to AFC Bournemouth.
The 21-year-old forward became the Magpies’ eighth - and final - summer signing on transfer deadline day after arriving from French club Lille for £51million.
Fernandez-Pardo has trained with his teammates this week but, unlike fellow new signings Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez, Jaissle has played down the prospect of him being thrown straight into the starting XI.
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Matthias Jaissle drops Matias Fernandez-Pardo hint
“He's fit, he's training with us but it's been a while since he played the last time, over 90 minutes,” Jaissle said. “It's also important for a young lad to adapt towards our intensity in training but also the intensity in the Premier League, so we will have a close eye on him and we are smart also with the load management.
“We want to enjoy him for a longer period and not just for one game.”
Jaissle also called for patience when it comes to Fernandez-Pardo and the club’s other new signings, all of whom are under the age of 24.
“Yes, this [patience] is always needed. This is the brave way, what I said, with these signings, with young player. They need time to adapt.
“Yes, there are players that have adapted now really fast, but usually also, and this is something I'm really aware of, and hopefully you as well, and the fans for sure, there will be ups and downs with young players, and this is something we know, and we will support them in the lows, but also in the highs.
“And, yeah, in general, we have now a squad with huge potential, and I think we are really happy, so therefore, again, thanks for Ross and his team.”
Newcastle United’s long-term interest in Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Newcastle identified the versatile attacker as their top attacking target in May, but had to wait until deadline day to complete the deal. Back then, Fernandez-Pardo wanted Champions League football, but that stance changed last week, and the Magpies, led by sporting director Ross Wilson, worked all hours to secure a deal.
“First of all, it was an interesting last day I would say,” Jaissle said. “We worked quite a couple of times on their deal so we finalised it then in the last hours.
“Yeah, great job from Ross and his team. I'm really, really pleased and happy to have him now on board.
“We follow him now already for a long time, also myself before I joined Newcastle, because he's an outstanding player for his age, brings a lot of potential with him, and I'm looking forward to supporting him, to fulfil that potential.
“And finally, of course, I said congrats to Ross, to bring that deal over the line. We invested a lot, not only money-wise, that's not what I meant, especially time and energy to get that deal done, so we are really happy.”