Newcastle fans have been left impressed by Spanish winger Victor Fernandez following his impressive cameo in our 1-1 draw in Yesterday’s mid-season friendly with Royal Antwerp.
The 135 minute game was played across three lots of 45 minute halves (or thirds!) and the 19-year-old took his chance in the final third of the fixture, impressing NUFC fans and drawing praise from Rafa Benitez following his positive performance.
He’s been impressing in the U-23’s and was was one of few youth players who was handed the chance to impress Rafa in Alicante, and he did. He caused experienced Belgian international Jelle Van Damme all sorts of problems from the right hand side, showing composure on the ball and looking to take men on at every opportunity.
Here’s what Rafa had to say following his promising display and the reaction of several NUFC fans on social media:
“I think Victor did well too. We were attacking a lot in the second half and the last part of the game. He was involved all the time. It was positive for him.”
Smart play from Fernandez so far. Doesn't look out of place at all. #NUFC
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) March 18, 2018
That Fernandez looks like hes going to be some player in the future #nufc
— Ryan Anthony Moseley (@RyanMoseleynufc) March 18, 2018
Cant wait to see Fernández with the 1st team #nufc
— Ridin' Dirty (@Asallsince1993) March 18, 2018
Impressed with Fernandez. He’s looked lively #nufc
— Super Clem ? (@youngin_uk) March 18, 2018
That Victor Fernandez has looked pretty decent this 45 minutes. Seems confident with good feet. Probably not premier league ready yet but I've seen a lot worse. Future looks bright with these kind of players in the u23's #nufc
— Adrian Langley (@adi_bizzle) March 18, 2018
I’ve seen him a few times for the U-23’s and he stood out, so it’s great to see him look anything but out of his depth when he mixed it with the senior side in training and in yesterday’s friendly with Royal Antwerp.
Good luck to the lad – it would be great to finally see one of our U-23’s make it at first-team level.
So happy for my debut with the first team in a friendly. Let’s keep working hard for more opportunities #nufc #toonarmy??⚽️ pic.twitter.com/b9yarNvx2E
— Víctor Fernández (@victorfdez98) March 18, 2018