Matias Fernandez-Pardo possesses a rare attribute that likely convinced Newcastle United to invest heavily in his services for the Premier League – sheer explosiveness. His former mentor, Arnar Vidarsson, told Sky Sports that the 21‑year‑old Belgian is "very explosive, very fast" and that he carries "unbelievable power" in his runs. Vidarsson, who coached Fernandez‑Pardo at Gent before the player's transfer to Lille, draws a direct parallel between the young forward and another Belgian talent who has already made a name for himself in England – Jeremy Doku.
"You could compare him a little bit to Jeremy Doku. They have a similar profile," the Icelandic coach explained.
Both players share a blend of speed, raw power and the knack for beating defenders in tight quarters without needing a lot of space. Doku’s signature move – slowing a defender down and then exploding past them – is a skill that Matias mirrors. "Matias can go past people in one or two metres because of this explosiveness," Vidarsson added.
Newcastle’s willingness to part with £51 million for the Belgium international stems not only from his physical gifts but also from his growing goal‑scoring record. Over the past season, Fernandez‑Pardo has transitioned from a traditional winger to a more central attacking role, often operating as a forward. "In my opinion, his best position is central," Vidarsson said.
"That is how he scored most of his goals and how Lille scouted him in his last season with Gent." The shift proved decisive. After making his full league debut in March 2024, Fernandez‑Pardo netted eight goals in just eleven appearances. The Lille manager responded by deploying him as a striker, a move that paid dividends and sparked interest from several top clubs.
Vidarsson recalled that before this central stint, Matias had spent most of his time on the wing, but the decision to move him up front unlocked his scoring potential. The relationship between Vidarsson and Fernandez‑Pardo predates the young man’s first‑team breakthrough. The Icelandic coach, now involved in coach development for FIFA, oversaw talent management at Gent and worked closely with the club’s development squad. He remembers Matias as a quiet, family‑oriented youngster whose father acted as his personal assistant, driving him to training and looking after his needs.
"Matias did not talk too much," Vidarsson noted, "but he came alive on the pitch." In those early days, Matias was a wide‑player for Gent’s second team, still learning the nuances of decision‑making on the flank. Vidarsson admitted that his choices – when to cut inside, when to stay wide, when to deliver a cross – were not always optimal. He likened this developmental stage to the early career of Doku, who also struggled with positional decisions at Anderlecht.
"Players develop," Vidarsson said, "but he was going past people and not knowing when to cross, when to cut inside, when to go outside, when to find space in behind. And sometimes he did not have the mentality to run for the team." The turning point arrived in early 2024 when Gent sold three key attackers – Malick Fofana and Gift Orban to Lyon, and Hugo Cuypers to Chicago Fire – creating a vacuum that allowed Fernandez‑Pardo to step up. "That freed up the space for Matias to play," Vidarsson explained. The youngster seized the opportunity, delivering a prolific spell that attracted Lille’s attention and eventually led to his move to the French side.
At Lille, Fernandez‑Pardo adapted quickly, contributing significantly to the club’s qualification for the Champions League in his debut season. Despite this success, he expressed a desire to leave, perhaps feeling that a season of European competition with Lille would have further accelerated his development. Nonetheless, his ambition to test himself in England prevailed, and he completed his transfer to Newcastle in the summer. Vidarsson cautions against expecting immediate stardom on Tyneside.
"I would say they are taking, not a risk, but let's say giving him an opportunity," he said, emphasizing that the Premier League’s intensity and pace demand an adjustment period. He believes a full season of adaptation is necessary before Fernandez‑Pardo can truly shine as a top‑level Premier League player. Tactically, there is speculation that Matthias Jaissle’s vertical, high‑pressing system could suit Fernandez‑Pardo well, especially if he is deployed as one of two central strikers rather than a conventional winger.
"Because of his speed, he needs space. On the wing, you can direct him in one direction and then he becomes a little easier to mark," Vidarsson argued. A central role would give him the freedom to exploit his acceleration and power across the final third, making him a more unpredictable threat. Internationally, the World Cup proved a missed chance for the young Belgian.
He featured only three times off the bench for Belgium, a limited involvement that left him frustrated. This disappointment likely fueled his determination to secure a move to a club where he could play regularly and showcase his talents on the biggest stage.
Newcastle fans have plenty to be excited about. While Fernandez‑Pardo is not yet a finished product, his unique blend of speed, power and an innate ability to beat defenders in tight spaces is precisely the kind of attribute modern clubs covet.
As Vidarsson summed up, "What he has, of course, is that special thing that a lot of clubs are looking for in modern football, that speed, that ability to go past people and do something in small spaces. He has those attributes and they are really difficult to create.
You are just born with it." In summary, Matias Fernandez‑Pardo offers Newcastle a rare combination of explosive athleticism and a growing goal‑scoring instinct. If given the time to adapt to the Premier League’s tempo and the tactical freedom to operate centrally, he could evolve into a dynamic forward capable of thrilling the St James' Park faithful for years to come.