Potential Newcastle rising star with 100% duel and tackle success on Wednesday is now ready to explode
Newcastle will be thrilled by Joel Ordonez’s flawless defensive performance for Ecuador in their 2-0 victory over New Zealand on 19 November.
Sources told Football Insider that Newcastle are monitoring the progress of Joel Ordonez as they look to strengthen at centre-back.
With Sven Botman yet to agree a new deal with Newcastle, Eddie Howe will be keeping an eye on the Ecuadorian as a possible long-term solution to his ageing defence.
Sources also told Football Insider that Newcastle are keen to extend Fabian Schar’s contract, yet Ordonez’s form during the November internationals may force them to rethink offering a new deal.
Ordonez inspired as Eddie Howe keeps tabs on potential future signing
The Tricolor extended an unbeaten run that dates back to September 2024 with a comfortable 2-0 win over New Zealand.
The 21-year-old partnered PSG’s Willian Pacho at centre-back as Ecuador kept a clean sheet for the second successive game.
Defensively, the Club Brugge defender was remarkable winning 100 per cent of his tackles and duels as well as making two clearances.
| Selected stats vs New Zealand (19 November) | Joel Ordonez |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Key passes | 1 |
| Passes completed (%) | 64/70 (91%) |
| Duels (won) | 4 (4) |
| Tackles (won) | 1 (1) |
Conversely, the number four completed 64 of his 70 passes with a 91% accuracy rate, also adding a key pass to a superb 90 minutes with the ball at his feet.
Ahead of another appearance at the World Cup, Ecuador’s golden generation certainly looks impenetrable, especially with Ordonez at the heart of it.
Newcastle with serious decision to make over the future of their defensive line
Considering Everton have also been linked with Ordonez, the Toon need to make haste if they want to secure his signature in the upcoming transfer windows.
The 21-year-old has a high ceiling and should reach the top of world football based on his promising early progress.
Moreover, with the likes of Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Emil Krafth all out of contract at the end of the season, Howe must react quickly to solidify his defence.
With so many stars leaving either this season or the end of the 2026-27 campaign, time is of the essence for the Magpies to make a decision on Ordonez and get him to St James’ Park.