Matias Fernandez-Pardo is ringing alarm bells at Newcastle, this is why
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is still struggling to settle into life at Newcastle United, with his performance against Aston Villa more proof of that.
Matthias Jaissle has entrusted the new arrival fully, handin him starts in each of the five Premier League games he has been available for.
However, that faith has yet to be repaid, with Fernandez-Pardo struggling to make the impact expected of him.
The summer arrival is still awaiting his first goal contribution for the Magpies
So, the clash against Aston Villa offered another opportunity for the attacker to silence his critics and prove his worth.
Instead, it was another frustrating outing, with the Newcastle ace struggling to influence proceedings in the final third, with his underlying numbers bringing plenty of concern.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s Aston Villa stats make grim reading for Newcastle
Fernandez-Pardo could do with some time out of the Newcastle lineup, especially after an awful showing against Aston Villa.
Newcastle are on a poor run of form, which certainly has not helped the new signing to settle in.
Against Aston Villa, Fernandez-Pardo managed to take just 19 touches in 56 minutes at St James' Park.
The forward barely got involved in the action, highlighted by his zero shots and zero chances created.
The Belgian forward also only won 44 per cent of his duels, winning four out of nine of his battles.
Throughout his time on the pitch, he also only managed to make nine passes, misplacing two of those.
It was once again a performance lacking substance, energy even. He covered a relatively meagre 6.2 km. By contrast, Villa's Boubacar Kamara covered 11.7 km.
Jaissle will certainly be concerned over his forward, and questions must be asked of if he deserves to continue in the starting lineup.
Who could replace Fernandez-Pardo?
It is time for Bazoumna Traore to be given a chance to start for Newcastle.
The Ivorian international has routinely been snubbed, with no Premier League starts dished out to the 20-year-old yet.
One thing he already has over Fernandez-Pardo is the fact that he has scored in the league for Newcastle.
Traore was the man who replaced the Belgian against Aston Villa.
Now, The Ivorian deserves the chance to show what he can do from the start, rather than being restricted to substitute appearances.
Handing him a first Premier League start would also give Fernandez-Pardo an opportunity to regroup and work on the areas of his game that have been lacking.