Matias Fernandez-Pardo has captured Newcastle United's imagination with a single, standout attribute that convinced the club he could thrive in England's top flight: his sheer explosiveness. As his former mentor Arnar Vidarsson explained to Sky Sports, "He is very explosive, very fast.
He possesses an almost unbelievable power." This raw athleticism is the cornerstone of the young Belgian's game and the reason the Magpies were willing to invest £51 million in a 21‑year‑old who has only recently broken into senior football. Vidarsson, who oversaw Fernandez‑Pardo's development during his spell at Gent before the player transferred to Lille, immediately drew a parallel with another Belgian winger 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," the Icelandic coach said. Both players share a blend of blistering speed and the capacity to accelerate past defenders in a matter of metres, often without needing a lot of space.
Doku is known for lulling a defender into a false sense of security before exploding forward; Fernandez‑Pardo exhibits the same knack for rapid, short‑range bursts that leave opponents scrambling. The Newcastle board’s willingness to part with a sizeable sum was not solely driven by raw pace. Vidarsson highlighted that the winger has also begun to demonstrate a genuine goal‑scoring instinct, evolving from a traditional wide man into a more central attacking threat. "In my opinion, his best position is central.
That is how he scored most of his goals and how Lille scouted him in his last season with Gent," Vidarsson noted. The statistics back this up: after making his full‑league debut in March 2024, Fernandez‑Pardo netted eight times in just eleven appearances, prompting Lille’s manager to experiment with him as a striker. The experiment paid off, and his goal tally attracted interest from several top clubs, ultimately culminating in his summer move to Newcastle.
Vidarsson’s relationship with the player stretches back well before that breakthrough. The coach, now involved in FIFA’s coach‑development programme, was responsible for talent management at Gent and worked closely with the club’s development squad. He recalls a quiet, family‑oriented youngster whose father acted as his personal assistant, shuttling him to training and matches.
"His relationship with his father was strong. His father was all in, basically his assistant, driving him everywhere and taking good care of him. Matias did not talk too much," Vidarsson recalled. On the pitch, however, the young Belgian let his feet do the talking.
During his early days with Gent’s second team, Fernandez‑Pardo operated primarily as a wide player. Vidarsson admits the youngster’s decision‑making on the flank was at times erratic – a trait he likens to Doku’s early career at Anderlecht.
"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 coach said, adding that these growing pains are typical for a teenager who has outgrown the level of competition he is playing at and is eager 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 into the senior side. "That freed up the space for Matias to play," Vidarsson explained.
The young forward seized the opportunity, quickly becoming a regular starter and showcasing his ability to operate both on the wing and centrally. His eight‑goal burst over eleven games was enough to convince Lille to use him as a striker, a decision that boosted his profile and attracted the interest of clubs across Europe. After a promising first season at Lille, where he helped the club secure a Champions League berth, Fernandez‑Pardo opted for a new challenge in the Premier League. While some observers expressed surprise – noting that a season of European competition could have further accelerated his development – Vidarsson cautioned against unrealistic expectations.
"I would say they are taking, not a risk, but let's say giving him an opportunity," he said. The coach believes the player will need a season to adapt to the heightened intensity, speed, and physicality of English football before he can truly shine.
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 forwards rather than being confined to a traditional wing role. "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 system that encourages quick transitions and forward runs, the Belgian’s explosive bursts could be maximised, allowing him to exploit gaps behind defensive lines. Internationally, Fernandez‑Pardo’s opportunities with Belgium have been limited.
He made just three substitute appearances at the World Cup, a situation he described as a missed chance to prove himself on the biggest stage. Frustrated by the lack of playing time, he pushed for a move that would guarantee regular minutes and a platform to showcase his talents – a move that ultimately led him to Tyneside.
Newcastle fans have plenty to be excited about. While Fernandez‑Pardo is far from a finished product, his raw attributes – speed, power, and the ability to beat defenders in tight spaces – are rare and highly prized in modern football.
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." The coming season will be a test of how quickly the 21‑year‑old can adapt to the rigours of the Premier League, but the foundations are there. With the right guidance, tactical utilisation, and a little patience, Matias Fernandez‑Pardo could develop into the kind of dynamic forward that not only excites Newcastle supporters but also earns a reputation comparable to that of Jeremy Doku – a player capable of turning a match on its head with a single, electrifying run.