The future NUFC star who could be set to break into Benitez’s plans this season – One to watch

Olly Hawkins

Us NUFC fans haven’t been used to seeing youngsters make the big step up from the U-23’s to first-team level in recent years, but there’s one man in our youth ranks who I’m tipping to buck that trend – and that’s Victor Fernandez.

The Barcelona-born winger was signed from Spanish second division side UE Cornella in January last year and he immediately began to catch the eye at U-23 level.

I don’t get to as many second string games as I’d like to, but whenever I’ve got the chance to watch him his pace, trickery and close control often stood out – and it seems like he’s been catching the eye of Rafa Benitez too.

He’s yet to play in a competitive game at senior level, but he’s been handed several opportunities to train with the first-team and looks set to be included in our annual training camp in Ireland.

Not only did the 20-year-old impress during his 45-minute cameo in our mid-season friendly with Royal Antwerp in March – looking anything but out of place at senior level (albeit against poor Belgian opposition), but he was named player of the tournament during the U-23’s run to Hong Kong Soccer Sevens title last month.

He no doubt has a long way to go, but there’s something about this lad. He looks pretty fearless on the ball, elusive in possession and has a touch of class and turn of pace about him.

Definitely one to watch over pre-season this summer.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

View all posts by Olly Hawkins →

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1,205 thoughts on “The future NUFC star who could be set to break into Benitez’s plans this season – One to watch”

  2. Dubai Toon:
    So, there goes the last South American team… amazing that we will have no Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, Spain or Brazil in the Semis.

    Good match that… I predicted Belgium for the title… so far I’m still sticking to that ..!

    I also predicted Belgium to win it.

    No I didn’t 🙂

    I said Messi to win the golden boot, Neymar to get player of the tournament and Brasil to win it 🙂

    So, based on that record I am going to say that Sunderland will be promoted next year and will not go into administration.

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  4. Stuart79:
    Average teams, Eric

    Let’s just work this one out them:

    AVERAGE TEAMS? 🙂

    De Bruyne
    Lukaku
    Courtois
    Hazard

    That’s about 600 million in the current transfer market. Just them.

    Neymar
    Coutinho
    Marcelo
    Fermino
    Willian
    Jesus

    There’s another 600 million.

    AVERAGE 🙂 FFS. What planet are you on Stewie?

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  5. Im with Eric on this one. Was a good game, some great skills on show. Brilliant match winning goal and Hazard on fire.

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  6. Heart says final of Belgium V England. Head says Belgium V Croatia.

    Either way, England to reach the semi final tomorrow. Come on!

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  7. This site has a virus. Keeps redirecting me to some virus warning thing. Other sites are fine and virus scan is clear – so must be this site.

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  9. Really DT? Stuart is usually pretty serious and doesn’t go on the wind up. Anyway, I enjoyed the game which is all that really matters.

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  10. Shamrock:
    This site has a virus. Keeps redirecting me to some virus warning thing. Other sites are fine and virus scan is clear – so must be this site.

    I have had this happen a few times over the past year too sham, not today though. As you say other sites fine.

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  11. Was a good match, two very good teams filled with talent.
    Going to be very tough today, Swedes really tough to break down and have beaten some good sides to qualify for this WC. Not sure how much our lads have left in the tank physically and emotionally after Tuesdays 3 hour battle and Sweden have had an extra days rest too.
    Honestly not sure about this one, get passed these and I would really fancy our chances against Russia or Croatia .

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  12. So important not to concede first, they will shut us out and pick us off on the counter if we do.

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  13. I think me and Stuart are about the same age – 50? I have watched so many international football games where there was all of this sideways passing waiting for an opening. The Brasil-Belgium game was frantic, frenetic and fast paced. Neither team giving anything to the other and wanting to counter. It was just a great game of football.

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  14. Eric, that game and the Spain v Portugal game would all of been worthy of the final themselves imo.

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  17. Dorian Gray has a picture of Dechamps in his attic.

    Albert Steptoe has sued him for illegal us of his images.

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  18. Stupid decision to implement the new shorter transfer window in a world cup year, what were they thinking ? Awful lot got to get done in such a silly short amount of time now, will just inflate prices even more you would think.

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  20. Kimtoon: I have had this happen a few times over the past year too sham, not today though. As you say other sites fine.

    keeps happening to me as well

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  21. Eric Sykes:
    I think me and Stuart are about the same age – 50? I have watched so many international football games where there was all of this sideways passing waiting for anopening. The Brasil-Belgium game was frantic, frenetic and fast paced. Neither team giving anything to the other and wanting to counter. It was just a great game of football.

    Thanks, Eric. I’m actually 38 – Close!

    Getting ready for the game. Out for 2:30 for 4pm kick off.

    It’s coming home!

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  22. NUFC Index‏ @NUFC_Index · 29m29 minutes ago

     More

    Gazette: Rafa Benitez has labelled this summer’s transfer window as “difficult”.

    And water is wet

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  23. Stuart79: Thanks, Eric. I’m actually 38 – Close!

    Getting ready for the game. Out for 2:30 for 4pm kick off.

    It’s coming home!

    Were you serious about the Brasil/Belgium game though?

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  24. Well Eric, I enjoyed the match immensely too mate… I’m near ur age, I’m 54 in a few weeks time and I’ve seen a lot of games. As a Toon fan I’ve seen a great deal of **** games too….

    On the Sweden match, it’s imperative that we score first I think.. I also think we will need more than 1 goal so we should not step off the pedal and sit back as we tend to do sometimes.

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  25. Lukaku was brilliant for the De Bryne goal. They were on top most of the second half but this is not a great Brasil team. Neymar or Pele? Coutinho or Socrates?

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  26. I don’t want to tempt fate but we should beat Sweden. It is not like they are Iceland? When we beat them I can scream the names of the members of ABBA and tell them they took a hell of a beating Agnetha, Benni, Bjorn… the other one. Yes, Anni.

    And people aren’t getting carried away either. A replica Gareth Southgate waistcoat is being flown on a Warwick Castle flagpole.

    It’s coming home.

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  27. To be honest, Eric, I only saw the first half. I was in a Belgian bar which was strange. They are totally different to us. They’re so reserved. Apart from one who told me they would blow up the Channel tunnel after Brexit. He just started laughing when I told him it would be harder for us to rescue Europe again if the Germans start getting fruity again.

    Back to footie – I still haven’t seen a team that terrifies me. We’d have a chance against every team left in. But let’s enjoy the fact that England have made it to the last 6 of the World Cup! ?

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  28. PigGate2‏ @PigGate2 · 24m24 minutes ago

     More

    #ENGSWE #EnglandvSweden #England #WorldCup2018 #Worldcup2018Russia
    BRITISH ARMY BAND PLAYS THREE LIONS ON BUCKINGHAM PALACE FORECOURT

    The Bands of the Guards Division played a very special rendition of Three Lions on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace today (Friday) ahead.

    😎

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  29. LordScottLindquist‏ @LindquistLord

    Follow Follow @LindquistLord

     More

    Sweden England record since 1986
    Played 14
    Sweden won 5
    England won 2
    Drawn the rest
    Sweden goals 18
    England goals 14

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  30. georgio:
    Lukaku was brilliant for the De Bryne goal. They were on top most of the second half but this is not a great Brasil team. Neymar or Pele? Coutinho or Socrates?

    Neymar is a brilliant player, he just got a bit full of himself and needed to calm down and get rid of that spaghetti haircut. They were beaten by a very good Belgian team who, amazingly, are living up to their potential under a pretty average coach.

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  31. Stuart79:
    To be honest, Eric, I only saw the first half. I was in a Belgian bar which was strange. They are totally different to us. They’re so reserved. Apart from one who told me they would blow up the Channel tunnel after Brexit. He just started laughing when I told him it would be harder for us to rescue Europe again if the Germans start getting fruity again.

    Back to footie – I still haven’t seen a team that terrifies me. We’d have a chance against every team left in. But let’s enjoy the fact that England have made it to the last 6 of the World Cup!

    LAST 6 🙂 🙂 🙂

    it is still the QFs so the last 8. Even though 2 have qualified. If we had played yesterday it would have been last 8 🙂 Quirk of scheduling.

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  32. Can you believe it’s a year to the day little Bradley Lowery passed away. Lets hope he’s enjoying the game where ever he is.

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  33. Kimtoon:
    LordScottLindquist‏ @LindquistLord

    Follow Follow @LindquistLord

     More

    Sweden England record since 1986
    Played 14
    Sweden won 5
    England won 2
    Drawn the rest
    Sweden goals 18
    England goals 14

    They had Zlatan for much of that and now they don’t. They have ex-Mackem Seb Larrson, 104.

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  35. Anyone see the sign at the Metrocentre Ikea? It read in real Ikea signage “Football. Etskommanhjomme. £19.66.”
    The story is on the Chron website

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  36. georgio:
    Anyone see the sign at the Metrocentre Ikea? It read in real Ikea signage “Football. Etskommanhjomme. £19.66.”
    The story is on the Chron website

    yeah, the pics all over twitter mate, very funny

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  37. Just the 4 weeks for Rafa to get in all the players he wants. Even by NUFC standards this could be a terrible transfer window.

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  38. I felt extreme serentity when it went to penalties last week. I think these players are different. Not the most talented, although we do have very talented players but they get it. They get what playing for Wngland means. They’re young and have no fear. That’s why I’m confident.

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  39. Stuart79:
    I felt extreme serentity when it went to penalties last week. I think these players are different. Not the most talented, although we do have very talented players but they get it. They get what playing for Wngland means. They’re young and have no fear. That’s why I’m confident.

    I think we are so used to failing at the final hurdle Stu , that we almost have a certain level of acceptance before the pens get taken. That’s partly why there is the mass hysteria building now because that hoodoo is broken, spain euro 96 aside like we just never quite get there.
    The monkey is off the back now and they should not fear going to pens anymore.

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  40. I have thought of a few more Swedes whose boys will take a helluva beating today: Dolph Lundgren, Anita Ekberg, Queen Silvia, Sven Goren Eriksen.

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  41. What a weird feeling today – nervously confident – nerves coz I feel confident.

    Sir Harry to score again today. Set pieces will be an interesting battle today – could be the difference of the 2 teams today.

    ???????????????????????????????????????????????

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  42. I am going to be stumped if we win today because I can’t think of a single famous Croat (footballers is cheating). At least Belgium has Hercule Peroit and Tin Tin although they are both fictional.

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  43. Sharpy, we’ll have to be more creative to break down the Swedes, they have beaten some good teams to get to the WC and have only conceded the one goal so far.
    Toughest test yet imo.

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  44. England unchanged. Think I’d have thought about Loftus-Cheek for Alli but can’t complain. Maybe Alli and Sterling will get some space today.

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  45. The Guardian have written an article telling us the 6 things we didn’t know about Harry Kane. They are really boring so I will relay only 3:

    He went to the same school as David Beckham

    He has 2 houses

    His favourite movie is Law Abiding Citizen a truly boring Gerard Butler monstrosity.

    I am guessing they had to include the extra thing they know to show they are better than the tabloids.

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  46. Kimtoon:
    Sharpy, we’ll have to be more creative to break down the Swedes, they have beaten some good teams to get to the WC and have only conceded the one goal so far.
    Toughest test yet imo.

    Kim – yeah, and we are going to have to be direct. Forget that extra pass or extra touch or letting the 3 CBs knocking it back and forth – get the lead first before we start that stuff. We have to get it into the front lads quickly – not long ball stuff but through the channels for Sterling and Lingard to get after it – they have old sluggish CBs who will hate the pace of those 2 along with the wingbacks – so we have to use that against them imo.

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  47. I am starting to get the feeling that Sir Harold of Kane is a bit boring. The Guardian article said he owns 2 houses because he wants extra time in the gym and to hone his skills and not because he likes “playing away” nudge, nudge.

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  48. Stuart79:
    England unchanged. Think I’d have thought about Loftus-Cheek for Alli but can’t complain. Maybe Alli and Sterling will get some space today.

    Stu – agree mate, providing he has the sense to replace Ali if he’s struggling – not with Dier though – him and Henderson are too defensive imo.

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  49. And, in a list of worlds’ happiest people Sweden is ranked number 1. Not after today Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and the other one!

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  50. We really really could do with another thread to post on for the match … has Olly gone on his Ollydays? ?

    2-1 to England.

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  51. Just saw Southgate interviewed and he does come across as nice, articulate and nice. Not trying to be negative at all but if Big Fat Sam was still manager I am not sure I could get behind the team as much because you just know that if we won it would be all about him.

    What I am saying is that I am glad we have Southgate even though I doubted his credentials to start with. And you know he will be humble in victory. So, c’mon England.

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  52. Whey give owa!!, don’t go Bobby Robson on us!! – I’m choking up here!!

    Love ya Bobby!! Do it for him lads ??

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  54. Sharpy17:
    Whey give owa!!, don’t go Bobby Robson on us!! – I’m choking up here!!

    Love ya Bobby!!Do it for him lads

    same mate, that caught me out then.

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  56. Get an early goal, that’s vital make them come out to play. The longer it stays 0.0 the happier they will be .

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  57. Kim, they have a forward plying his trade in Saudi Arabia!

    We need to be a bit more creative and use our pace, but I dont see them stopping us today.

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  59. Shamrock:
    Kim, they have a forward plying his trade in Saudi Arabia!

    We need to be a bit more creative and use our pace, but I dont see them stopping us today.

    Hope you are right Sham

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  61. My mates son was gonna go over to watch them, he’s always gone away with England but was put off after France and the Russian Ultras. He rang the FA who said they had tickets but when he looked at travel it would of been a plane to Turkey then onto Moscow then a 12 hour train journey to this game. Total cost £800 then £400 per night for the cheapest hotel !, no wonder there’s hardly any England fans there.

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  63. We need to get down to the byline and float crosses in. Atvthe moment we keep stopping play and cutting inside befire sending the crosses, whixh allows Sweden to set up and knock the crosses back with ease. The lads need to be confident with the ball at feet and dun at them on the wing.

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  67. Where’s Lingard?! – he’s got the pace to punish these and he’s not kicked the ball yet!!.

    We are getting drawn into their slow play here – need to get going

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  69. From a right wing cross back to keeper – CROSS THE BALL MAN!!!

    Why are they pissing about on the edge of the box like that!!

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  70. Paying far too much respect to Sweden here. Just get hold of it and run at them ffs

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