Matias Fernandez-Pardo possesses a distinctive trait that has convinced Newcastle United that he can thrive in England’s top flight. As his former Gent coach Arnar Vidarsson explained to Sky Sports, "He is incredibly explosive and fast. He has this unbelievable power." This raw athleticism is exactly what the Magpies hope to harness.
Vidarsson, who oversaw Fernandez-Pardo’s development at Gent before the Belgian winger’s transfer to Lille, draws a direct comparison to another Belgian talent who has already made a name for himself in the Premier League – Jeremy Doku. "You could compare him a little bit to Jeremy Doku. They have a similar profile," Vidarsson said.
Both players share a blend of speed, power and the knack for beating defenders in tight spaces without needing a lot of room. Doku is known for lulling a defender into a slower rhythm before bursting past; Fernandez-Pardo exhibits the same sudden acceleration, allowing him to glide past opponents within a metre or two of contact.
Newcastle’s willingness to part with £51 million for the 21‑year‑old Belgium international stems not only from his pace but also from his growing goal‑scoring record. Over the past season he has transitioned from a traditional wide player into a more central attacking role. "In my opinion, his best position is central," Vidarsson noted.
"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, prompting Lille’s manager to experiment with him as a striker. The experiment paid off, and his prolific spell sparked interest from several top clubs, ultimately culminating in his move to Newcastle. The bond between Vidarsson and Fernandez‑Pardo predates the young winger’s breakthrough. The Icelandic coach, now employed in FIFA’s coach‑development department, handled talent management at Gent and worked closely with the club’s reserve side.
He recalls a quiet, family‑supported teenager whose father acted as a personal assistant, driving him to training and matches. "Matias did not talk too much," Vidarsson said, "but he came alive on the pitch." Initially, Fernandez‑Pardo featured on the wing for Gent’s second team, a period Vidarsson describes as a learning curve. "His decision‑making on the wing was not always the best," he admits, drawing a parallel to Doku’s early days at Anderlecht. At that stage, the Belgian was often unsure whether to cut inside, stay wide, or time a cross, and sometimes lacked the mental drive to chase the ball for the team.
Vidarsson believes these growing‑pains were natural for a youngster who was outgrowing the reserve level and yearning for first‑team minutes. A 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. Seizing the opportunity, the winger delivered a string of decisive performances that attracted attention beyond Belgium. His subsequent transfer to Lille proved fruitful; after a season of adaptation, he helped the French side secure a Champions League berth, demonstrating his capacity to influence games at a higher level. Despite this success, Fernandez‑Pardo expressed a desire to leave Lille, a decision that surprised some observers who expected him to benefit from another season of European competition.
Vidarsson cautions against placing unrealistic expectations on the Newcastle move, describing it as an opportunity rather than a gamble. "He has the potential but I really do believe that he will need one season to adapt before he can shine and become a top player in the Premier League," the coach said. The Premier League’s tempo, intensity and physicality are all markedly higher, and a period of acclimatization is essential for any newcomer. Matthias Jaissle’s vertical, high‑pressing style at Newcastle could be an ideal fit for Fernandez‑Pardo, especially if he is deployed as one of two central forwards 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. In a two‑striker system, Fernandez‑Pardo would have more room to exploit his acceleration and could combine with a partner to stretch defenses. Over time, he may also adapt to a wider role, but his most effective contributions are likely to come when he operates in the channels or centrally, where his pace can be used to break lines and create scoring opportunities.
Internationally, Fernandez‑Pardo’s involvement with Belgium has been limited – three substitute appearances at the World Cup – which left him feeling impatient. The desire for regular top‑level football propelled his push for a move to England, where he hopes to test himself against the best. For Newcastle supporters, the excitement surrounding this signing does not stem from a belief that Fernandez‑Pardo is a finished product; rather, it arises from the knowledge that he is still a work in progress with a rare, innate quality. "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," Vidarsson concluded. In summary, Matias Fernandez‑Pardo brings a blend of explosive pace, emerging goal‑scoring instincts and a willingness to evolve his positional play.
While adaptation to the Premier League will require time, his raw athletic tools and the mentorship he receives at Newcastle could see him develop into a thrilling attacking outlet, reminiscent of Jeremy Doku’s impact but with the potential to carve out his own distinct legacy.