Newcastle’s deadline day signing Federico Fernandez is eager to repay the faith Rafael Benitez has placed in him – by adapting to any system the manager adopts.
The Magpies boss surprised many people by switching to a 5-4-1 formation against Chelsea last weekend, with Fernandez as part of the three man central defensive unit, and may well do the same against Manchester City on Saturday.
Fernandez is ready to continue in that role if required: “I have played a lot of games in Wales last season in a three man central defence,” he told the Chronicle. “I know the system and how it works, and why we need to do it against top sides like Chelsea and Manchester City.
“It’s an important position and I feel good that the gaffer has the confidence in me to play this role so early [after signing]. I try to talk to the lads, pull them into the right position, and it’s a role I know well so I tried to help Fabian [Schar] and [Ciaran] Clark to be tight with the striker, and try to cover them in the last part of the box.”
OPINION
Benitez will be grateful of the support Fernandez has lent his tactics, at a time when seemingly every pundit in the media has had a go at the Spaniard for being too negative against Chelsea. The manager only needs his players to be on board with his policies, though, and he’ll be happy that Fernandez has embraced the tactical change in the way that he has. The Argentina international was part of the Magpies defence which reverted to a back four against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, to no more success. The tactical flexibility that the 29-year-old has shown in a short space of time will be invaluable to the club moving forward. The former Swansea man was a much needed deadline day signing, and Benitez has shown his faith in him from the get go. Whether the manager continues with the back five or not, Fernandez will be ready.
