Matias Fernandez-Pardo possesses a distinctive trait that has convinced Newcastle United that he can flourish in the Premier League: sheer explosiveness. As his former Gent coach Arnar Vidarsson explained to Sky Sports, "He is very explosive, very fast. He has this unbelievable power." This raw pace and power set him apart and hint at a bright future in England’s top flight.
Vidarsson, who oversaw Fernandez-Pardo’s development at Gent before the player moved to Lille, draws a clear parallel between the Belgian winger and another rising star, Jeremy Doku. "You could compare him a little bit to Jeremy Doku. They have a similar profile," he noted.
Both players share a blend of speed, strength and the knack for beating defenders in tight quarters without needing a lot of space. Doku is famous for lulling a defender into a slower rhythm before bursting past; Fernandez-Pardo exhibits the same pattern, using his explosive bursts to glide past opponents within one or two metres of the ball.
Newcastle’s willingness to spend £51 million on the 21‑year‑old Belgium international stems not only from his athleticism 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. Vidarsson believes his optimal position is in the middle of the pitch: "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, he netted eight goals in just eleven appearances, prompting Lille’s coach to deploy him as a striker rather than a wide player.
The prolific spell attracted interest from several top clubs and ultimately led to his summer move to Lille, where he helped the French side secure a place in the Champions League. The relationship between Vidarsson and Fernandez‑Pardo predates the youngster’s breakthrough.
The Icelandic coach, now employed in FIFA’s coach‑development programme, handled talent management at Gent and worked closely with the club’s development squad. He recalls a quiet, family‑oriented boy 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." Early in his career, Fernandez‑Pardo featured for Gent’s second team as a wide player. Vidarsson admits his decision‑making on the wing was inconsistent at that stage, a flaw he likens to Doku’s early days 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," the coach explained. Occasionally, he lacked the mental drive to chase the ball for the team’s benefit.
However, Vidarsson believes those shortcomings were largely a product of playing below his level. When Gent sold three key attackers—Malick Fofana, Gift Orban and Hugo Cuypers—during the winter of 2024, a vacancy opened up for Fernandez‑Pardo, allowing him to showcase his abilities on the first team. His performances earned him a transfer to Lille, a move Vidarsson describes as "great for him." After a season of adaptation, Fernandez‑Pardo became instrumental in Lille’s qualification for the Champions League, an achievement that surprised many observers who expected him to stay longer at the French club to continue his development.
Nonetheless, the Belgian’s ambition to test himself in England prompted the switch to Newcastle. Vidarsson cautions against unrealistic expectations for the young forward on Tyneside. "I would say they are taking, not a risk, but let's say giving him an opportunity," he said diplomatically. The Premier League’s tempo, intensity and physical demands are markedly higher than those of Ligue 1, and Fernandez‑Pardo will likely need a season to adjust before he can consistently deliver top‑level performances.
There is speculation that Matthias Jaissle’s vertical, high‑pressing style could suit Fernandez‑Pardo, especially if he is deployed as one of two central strikers rather than being confined to the flank. Vidarsson argues that his speed thrives when he has space to exploit: "On the wing, you can direct him in one direction and then he becomes a little easier to mark." In a more central role, he can receive the ball with his back to goal, use his burst of acceleration to break through defensive lines, and combine with midfielders in quick one‑twos. Internationally, Fernandez‑Pardo’s involvement with Belgium has been limited. He made only three substitute appearances at the World Cup, a situation he found frustrating.
Determined to prove his worth, he pushed for a move that would grant him regular top‑flight football, and the Premier League presented the perfect platform. For Newcastle supporters, the excitement surrounding Fernandez‑Pardo does not stem from him being a finished product but from his untapped potential. He embodies a rare combination of speed, power and the ability to navigate tight spaces—attributes that clubs covet 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." In summary, Matias Fernandez‑Pardo arrives at Newcastle with a proven record of explosive runs, a growing goal tally, and the versatility to operate both on the wing and centrally. While a period of adaptation is expected, his physical gifts and developing football intelligence suggest he could become a thrilling asset for the Magpies, offering fans moments of individual brilliance and the promise of future growth.