Why Newcastle should plan a new contract for Federico Fernandez
According to The Shields Gazette, Newcastle United defender Federico Fernandez has lifted the lid on his future at Tyneside, insisting that he would love to extend his association with the Magpies beyond the end of the ongoing campaign.
The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer of 2020 but he has now expressed his desire to open talks with the club over a new deal heading into the mid-season transfer window in January.
Fernandez, who was signed from Swansea City for a fee of £6million on a two-year deal by former manager Rafael Benitez back in the summer of 2018, played a bit-part role under the Spaniard in the Premier League last season, starting 17 games as Newcastle comfortably beat the drop.
The 32-cap Argentine international looked set to a disappointing season under Steve Bruce, who didn’t seem too keen to rely on the veteran in the initial stages of the campaign but Fernandez has eventually cemented his place in the club’s playing XI.
The Argentine international’s telling contribution behind Newcastle’s recent upturn in form has been well backed up by the numbers.
As per whoscored, Fernandez has averaged 1.8 aerial duels, 1.8 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 6.5 clearances, 0.3 crosses and 3.1 long balls per game in the Premier League this term, registering an overall rating of 7.00 so far.
To put things into perspective, Newcastle couldn’t have asked for more from Federico Fernandez in the first half of the campaign and it should be a no-brainer for the Magpies to reward him fresh terms at the earliest, given that the 30-year-old has expressed his desire to extend his stay at the club.
With Lascelles, Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark and Lejeune all the in the ranks, Newcastle have enough depth in their defensive cavalry to suit Bruce’s back-three system.
Fernandez hasn’t always been an assured starter since his arrival at Tyneside back in 2018 but his experience continues to be an invaluable asset to the squad.
Verdict
The Argentine has proven his worth with some commanding and resilient displays at the heart of the backline in recent weeks when the club needed him to rise to the occasion and that should be enough to warrant an extended stay beyond the ongoing campaign.
According to a report from The Scottish Sun published back in October, Bruce had previously indicated the arrival of a new centre-back in January, with Nottingham Forest star Joe Worrall touted as a potential target.
However, Fernandez’s resurgence might force him to change his plans for the time being and focus on improving other areas of his squad.
Regardless of whether Newcastle bring in another centre-back in January or next summer, Federico Fernandez still has a lot more to offer at the age of 30 and parting ways with the Argentine in the near future could deplete the squad of some serious quality.
A veteran of 148 Premier League appearances for Newcastle and Swansea, Fernandez ranks second in that regard, only behind Clark, in terms of experience in the club’s defensive unit.
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Add to that his recent impressive form and its easy to see why the Magpies should look to keep hold of him for at least another couple of years.
All in all, Newcastle United ironing out a new contract for Federico Fernandez would be a shrewd piece of business.
