OPINION
Mike Ashley must be thrilled over Federico Fernandez’s display against Burnley on Monday as it proves that you can welcome game changing players that don’t break the budget.
The 29-year-old centre-back shone against the Clarets as the Magpies went on to win 2-1 at Turf Moor as he was a reassuring presence who made sure his opponents weren’t denying his side a win.
Fernandez cleared any danger that came his way and seemed to pounce into action at the first sign of Burnley trying to create a potential goalscoring opportunity.
The 6ft 2in centre-back (Source: Transfermarkt) has generally been amazing in the 11 appearances he has made since joining from Swansea City in the summer, but his Burnley display was something else.
With Jamaal Lascelles missing Fernandez stepped up to the plate to lead his side to glory, despite not actually wearing the armband, and you feel if he wasn’t on the pitch then Clarets may have got something from Monday’s game.
Ashley is no doubt happy to see the Magpies continue winning as after registering their third win in the row they now seem more comfortable in the Premier League due to sitting 13th.
However he is no doubt particularly thrilled with Fernandez following his display against Burnley as it shows that he doesn’t need to sanction big spends to get fantastic players to the club.
Ashley is often, rightly, criticised for not splashing enough cash during the transfer window and given the few weak points in the Magpies’ team is easy to see he’s wrong to do this as it makes Rafa Benitez’s job harder.
Yet the owner will no doubt be thrilled that Fernandez, who the club paid only £6million to get (Source: BBC Sport) is proving to be a fantastic signing that can make a positive difference to the club’s fortunes.
While Magpies fans will hope Ashley spends big in January, the owner will no doubt use the bargain capture of Fernandez as a way of justifying the fact you don’t have to spend loads to get the needed players.
Given that £6million doesn’t normally get you much, which is only highlighted by the fact Liverpool’s purchase of Xherdan Shaqiri is clarified as a bargain buy at £13million (Source: BBC Sport), then Ashley will have a great excuse to justify not breaking the Magpies’ transfer record.
Therefore given that Fernandez shone against Burnley and has previously dazzled this season, Ashley must be thrilled that the defender has proven that you don’t have to spend big to get talented players.
