In an interview with the Shields Gazette, academy coach Peter Beardsley has admitted that Newcastle United’s latest signing, Victor Fernandez, has a lot to learn.
Fernandez arrived on Tyneside from Spanish side UE Cornella at the beginning of February, joining a new wave of young talent recruited at St. James’ Park.
Despite the winger catching the eye for the Under-23’s, scoring one goal and creating two in his opening game against Bristol City, the Newcastle legend believes the exciting Spaniard has a lot to learn.
Beardsley told the Shields Gazette:
“He has a lot to learn,”
“He is a good kid and I don’t want to be negative.”
“The more he comes inside he will get tackled. Get one on one and beat your man and get the cross in. The end result is all that matters.”
While the 18 year-old has shown flashes of brilliance in his opening U-23 appearances, Beardsley wants to see the Spaniard carry a greater influence in games:
“We have had millions of players in the world who dribble, dribble, dribble. Wingers are the most subbed player in the world – 99 per cent of the time in games wingers are subbed.”
“They have to have an impact on the game. He is a lovely kid but he has to have an impact on the game.”
It must be said, Fernandez is lucky to be receiving advice from one of very best in Peter Beardsley, who certainly knew how to take on a man and produce the goods.
Hopefully, this constructive criticism will only go on to help the young winger, with the 18 year-old tipped for big things at St. James’ Park should he reach his full potential.
Here’s Fernandez in action for former club UE Cornella, where he goes on to score two goals against a Barcelona youth side:
New signing, Victor Fernandez, causing the Barcelona youth team all sorts of problems. #nufc pic.twitter.com/sliU38x9RQ
— The Spectator's View (@thespectoview) February 3, 2017
