Fernandez-Pardo is ready to explode - Newcastle star must be sacrificed to make room

Newcastle United signed Matias Fernandez-Pardo for a whopping £52million this summer, but Matthias Jaissle is yet to unlock him.

The 21-year-old has only started two of the Magpies' Premier League games so far, and it feels like he's being left out to dry.

Switching from Ligue 1 to the Premier League is a ginormous one, and the Belgian international has yet to find his feet at St James' Park.

Jaissle could certainly help with that process in the coming weeks, but that would potentially mean dropping one of Newcastle's most consistent.

Yoane Wissa, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy have been leading the line in recent weeks, the latter starting mainly due to Anthony Elanga's injury.

Newcastle moved up to ninth in the Premier League table before the international break, but it could be even better if the manager gets everyone firing.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo could impact Harvey Barnes' season

Known for his ball carrying, acceleration, and successful take-on of defenders, Jaissle has a huge talent at his fingertips. He just needs to know how to utilise him.

A free-roaming role would likely be best for the 21-year-old, supporting Wissa through the middle. Placing him on the left would be a good start.

His ability to cut in onto his right foot would open lots of space for Lewis Hall to run into, with a lot of long-range shots to come raining in.

However, that would open the door to Harvey Barnes losing his place in the lineup, and that would, obviously, be a huge decision for the manager.

Barnes already has three goals and two assists in seven games this season, but luckily for him, he's also capable of playing on the right flank.

Which other Newcastle players should be axed?

With eight goals and six assists for Lille in 2025-26, it is only a matter of time before he ignites. Newcastle will just have to be patient with the £52m attacker.

Jaissle cannot afford to be patient with everyone, though, and that could meaning axeing Murphy and 18-year-old Sean Steur.

Nico Gonzalez could be ready to feature against Coventry City on Monday, 12 October, so that would be a simple change in the middle of the park.

As for Murphy, changing Barnes' position would make the most sense, to allow Fernandez-Pardo to flourish, or trying out Bazoumana Toure could be exciting.