The new Newcastle rolls out this weekend: the same, but also new. After the purchase of the club, a new horizon looms for everyone. One of them, Fede Fernández, is completing his third season as the team’s center-back and has even been promoted to the position of captain in the last two days of the Premier League. At 32, the Argentine is one of the leaders of the club today and knows that the reality of Newcastle will not change overnight. It will take time and also victories, a few victories, because the magpies have not yet won this season and are second to last. That is the priority, first to get out of the lower part of the table and then to attract new figures. Because they will come. Because there will be signings. Because there will also be changes. And Fede wants to live this process as one of the team to know the new limits that await Newcastle.
-How have you lived these first days of the new Newcastle?
-The city was revolutionized by this issue and by everything it generated worldwide. These are times of change in which we look to the future with great enthusiasm. Also, the other day we met the new owners.
-How did you find out about the club’s purchase?
-We saw it in the press and later, on Monday, we had the opportunity to meet the owners after training. They came and we greeted each other. They agreed to return soon because now there are many who are with the national teams. When the whole group is back, they told us that they want to have a talk to convey what they have already said publicly: that it will be something gradual that will take time. We will try to help you to create a good structure.
-It is a very exciting stage because the club will grow with you, isn’t it?
-We are part of the project, without a doubt it will change, but we cannot think much about the future. Regardless of what may happen in the future, we have to perform in the present.
-In front of the public, the new owners are not wanting to raise expectations, but new names are linked every day … Do you speak that too?
-Yes, yes, we cannot control the media game, we have to stay a bit on the sidelines. This is long-term and is going to change every year. There are still many things to do at the club like the training grounds, the stadium, maintenance, other things to work on … For us, the players, it is a very important moment.
– Does the club’s perspective on the market change?
-It is up to us to win games again and maintain a good level to attract players who can make us better.
-However, they have not won in the Premier League yet, everything cannot change overnight.
– Exactly, it is thus. We are focused on finding that victory that allows us to change the dynamics, hopefully it will be Sunday because people will be supporting. You have already seen it in the videos that have been around the world. We have to get strong as locals. If we are in a higher position, things will be easier.
-In other words, there is work ahead.
– Let’s see, it is clear that it has to be something progressive. The new owners will make changes to the extent that they believe they are convenient. There will be changes, no doubt, but everything that is for the better is welcome.
-It will be full on Sunday in St. James’ Park, they have sold out tickets to travel to Crystal Palace … How do you notice the social pressure from Newcastle on a day-to-day basis?
-It is a club and a city where the fans are very loyal, they always follow the team, no matter the circumstances. There is room for 52,000 people at home and they have always been there, this generates a lot of enthusiasm. Newcastle is a club whose fans are among the best in England.
– In addition, he is one of the team captains.
-That we can demonstrate that claw that the fans demand and that they feel identified is key. Hopefully it will be something nice for the city and for the club, that we continue to build forward and that the fruits will be seen.
-Who has received a lot of criticism is Mike Ashley. He is accused of very little connection with the club and with the city. Was it not related to the template either?
-I don’t want to get in because he’s gone. But what I can say is that new people want to be closer to the city and closer to the club, they want to try to make communication clearer and more fluid, and at least the first days have been like that. In this section, people are watching it.
-One of the current references of Newcastle is Allan Saint-Maximin, what can you say about him?
-He’s a cute character! People love his ability and his imbalance, but in training he is a very calm boy. In addition, he is young and has a lot of future ahead of him. This situation will also influence the young people of the club because instead of jumping to a bigger club after having done well here, they will now have the possibility of seeing a future at Newcastle. It could be the other way around: that important players come here.
