Matthias Jaissle's plan for Matias Fernandez-Pardo revealed at Newcastle
Matthias Jaissle is set to use Matias Fernandez-Pardo as a centre-forward after Nick Woltemade was loaned out to Juventus, sources have told Football Insider.
Fernandez-Pardo arrived as Newcastle's final signing of the summer transfer window on Deadline Day in a £52million move from Lille.
The Belgian international emerged onto their radar as a top target for new boss Jaissle, who wanted to add more flair and versatility to his attacking ranks.
Newcastle then allowed Woltemade to seal a late loan to Juventus in the wake of Fernandez-Pardo's arrival on Tyneside.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Jaissle sees Fernandez-Pardo as a direct replacement for the German striker in the absence of Will Osula.
He can play in a variety of positions across the final third, but is set to begin his Magpies career up front this weekend.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo set to lead the line for Newcastle
Sources revealed to Football Insider back in June that Fernandez-Pardo was on Newcastle's radar, so he was not solely a Jaissle target.
The 21-year-old is a winger by trade, but found form as a striker towards the end of last term for Lille, registering five goals and two assists in 10 matches.
Jaissle will not make a snap decision on where Fernandez-Pardo's future lies on the pitch, but he looks set to be a centre-forward for Newcastle for the time being.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "The key thing about Fernandez-Pardo is that he can play in so many positions across the front line. That gives Jaissle so many options on how to use him. During his time at Lille he was moved from playing as a winger to a central striker role, so you would think he would be the obvious fit to replace Nick Woltemade up front.
"He's a very exciting player, Fernandez-Pardo, as he can play out wide, he can play down the middle as a number nine, and also as a number 10. So look, he's going to add so much flexibility to that Newcastle forward line and it'll be up to Jaissle to find the best place for him. I'm sure he's a player who come in and definitely improve that front line for Newcastle."
Fernandez-Pardo has made his positional preference clear
Osula is not expected back for another two weeks, so Fernandez-Pardo will have the chance to stake his claim to be Newcastle's first-choice striker following his arrival.
The 21-year-old was asked by reporters about his favoured position ahead of their clash against Bournemouth this weekend, as he said: "I can play across the front line. Still I do have a preference to play more central. But I’m still somebody who wants to help the team. I will do everything I can for the team but certainly if I could play down the middle that would be my preference.
“I have been following the team’s matches and I have seen that the team is very ambitious and wants to attack and get forward, really chase teams and go after them. That is something I really want to take part in as well.”