Matias Fernandez-Pardo possesses a rare blend of attributes that have convinced Newcastle United to invest heavily in his potential for the Premier League. According to his former mentor, Arnar Vidarsson, the Argentine‑born Belgian’s most striking feature is his explosive pace.
"He is very explosive, very fast," Vidarsson told Sky Sports, adding that the youngster’s power on the ball is almost unbelievable. Vidarsson, who coached Fernandez‑Pardo during his spell at Gent before the player’s transfer to Lille, immediately drew a parallel with another Belgian winger 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 capacity to accelerate past defenders in a flash, often covering one or two metres in a single burst. This ability to close down space and then explode forward mirrors Doku’s trademark habit of slowing a defender before suddenly surging ahead, a skill that Vidarsson believes Fernandez‑Pardo has in abundance. Newcastle’s £51 million fee for the 21‑year‑old international reflects more than just raw speed.
Over the past season, Fernandez‑Pardo has evolved from a traditional wide man into a genuine goal‑scoring threat, 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 transition was swift: after making his full‑league debut in March 2024, the striker netted eight goals in just eleven appearances, prompting his coach to shift him into a more advanced role.
The decision paid off, and interest in the young Belgian surged. Vidarsson’s relationship with Fernandez‑Pardo predates the player’s first‑team breakthrough.
The coach, now employed by FIFA in a talent‑development capacity, oversaw the Gent academy and the club’s development squad. He recalls a quiet, family‑oriented youngster whose father acted as a personal assistant, driving him to training and matches. "His relationship with his father was strong. His father was all in, basically his assistant," Vidarsson recalled, noting that Matias was not particularly vocal off the pitch but transformed once he stepped onto the field.
Initially, Fernandez‑Pardo featured for Gent’s reserve side as a wide player, a role that required him to make split‑second decisions on whether to cut inside, stay wide, or deliver a cross. Vidarsson admits that his decision‑making was uneven at times, 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 said. The young winger also sometimes lacked the mental drive to chase the ball for the team, a shortcoming that Vidarsson attributes to the player outgrowing the reserve level and yearning for first‑team minutes.
The turning point arrived in early 2024 when Gent sold three of its attacking assets – Malick Fofana and Gift Orban to Lyon, and Hugo Cuypers to Chicago Fire – opening a slot for Fernandez‑Pardo. Seizing the opportunity, he broke into the senior side, quickly demonstrating his knack for finding the net.
After a promising inaugural season at Lille, where he helped the club secure a Champions League berth, the Belgian’s profile rose dramatically. Surprisingly, despite the chance to experience European competition with Lille, Fernandez‑Pardo opted for a move to Newcastle.
Vidarsson views the decision as logical for the player’s development, noting that the French club provided a solid platform for his first season in a top league, but the Premier League offers a new set of challenges and a larger stage. He cautions against expecting immediate stardom, however. "I would say they are taking, not a risk, but let's say giving him an opportunity," Vidarsson said. The transition to English football will demand an adaptation period, as the league’s tempo, intensity, and physicality exceed most other competitions.
Matthias Jaissle’s vertical, high‑pressing system at Newcastle could be an ideal fit for Fernandez‑Pardo, especially if he is deployed as one of two strikers rather than a conventional winger. Vidarsson argues that the player thrives when given space to exploit his speed. "On the wing, you can direct him in one direction and then he becomes a little easier to mark," he explained.
By positioning him centrally, the Magpies could maximize his ability to run behind defensive lines and stretch opponents. Internationally, Fernandez‑Pardo’s role with Belgium has been limited. He made only three substitute appearances at the World Cup, a situation he described as a missed opportunity.
Frustrated by the lack of playing time, he pushed for a club move that would provide regular minutes and a chance to showcase his talents on a bigger stage. For Newcastle supporters, the excitement surrounding Fernandez‑Pardo stems not from a belief that he is a finished product, but from the potential he still holds.
He possesses a quality that modern clubs covet: the rare combination of blistering speed, the power to beat defenders in tight spaces, and an innate instinct for goal‑scoring. 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 the months ahead, Fernandez‑Pardo will need to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League, learn the nuances of Jaissle’s tactical approach, and continue refining his decision‑making in the final third. If he can translate his explosive bursts and goal‑poaching instincts to the English game, Newcastle could soon witness a player capable of delivering moments of brilliance reminiscent of Jeremy Doku, while also carving out his own unique identity on the world’s most watched football stage.