Matias Fernandez-Pardo names preferred Newcastle position ahead of debut

Matias Fernandez-Pardo has made it clear he wants to play through the middle for Newcastle United as the £51million Deadline Day signing prepares for a potential debut against Bournemouth.

The 21-year-old completed Newcastle's summer business as the eighth major addition of an ambitious window and could make his first appearance in front of a sold-out St James' Park this weekend.

Fernandez-Pardo offers Matthias Jaissle considerable versatility after playing both as a left winger and centre-forward for Lille and Gent, but the Belgian has no doubts about where he feels most comfortable.

“I can play across the front line,” Fernandez-Pardo said. “Still I do have a preference to play more central.”

While willing to operate wherever Jaissle requires him, the youngster reiterated that playing through the middle would be his first choice.

That could make him an immediate candidate for Newcastle's centre-forward role following Nick Woltemade's season-long loan move to Juventus.

Fernandez-Pardo has already been watching his new team and believes Newcastle's aggressive attacking approach suits his qualities.

“I have seen that the team is very ambitious and wants to attack and get forward, really chase teams and go after them,” he explained. “That is something I really want to take part in as well.”

Jaissle has also highlighted qualities that could make Fernandez-Pardo an important part of his attack.

“Matias is a highly technical player with explosiveness in his game,” the Newcastle boss said. “He can score and assist, he has courage, and he has the ability to take players on.”

Competition will nevertheless be significant.

Yoane Wissa and Will Osula provide alternative options centrally, while Anthony Elanga, Jacob Murphy, Bazoumana Toure and Harvey Barnes compete for wide positions.

Fernandez-Pardo's ability to cover all three attacking roles gives Jaissle flexibility, but the player's message is clear: given the choice, he wants to establish himself as Newcastle's new central attacking threat.

Fernandez-Pardo will hope to earn his first Newcastle minutes when Bournemouth visit a sold-out St James' Park this weekend.

His long-term position will depend on Jaissle's plans, but with Woltemade gone and Fernandez-Pardo openly favouring a central role, an early opportunity at centre-forward could arrive quickly.