Antonio Cordero’s loan move from Newcastle United to KVC Westerlo is not going to plan.
Newcastle United signed Antonio Cordero during the summer transfer window, with the young Spaniard arriving on a free from Malaga. The Magpies have high hopes for Cordero, and the plan was always to send him out on loan rather than play in the Newcastle United youth setup.
Toon officials wanted the 18-year-old to go out and gain even more senior experience following his Malaga exploits, and the decision was made to send him to Belgium.
So far, that has proven to be a bad decision. Cordero has barely played for KVC Westerlo, making just six appearances in total. All of those appearances have come as a substitute, with the attacker’s longest outing being 45 minutes.
Cordero is becoming the latest Newcastle United youngster to endure a nightmare out on loan, much to the dismay of Toon supporters.
Photo by KURT DESPLENTER/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty ImagesNewcastle United hoped Antonio Cordero would play more on loan
There will surely be disappointment from Newcastle United officials too, and the Athletic’s Chris Waugh has provided an update on the Antonio Cordero situation during a Q&A.
Waugh states that Newcastle United were hoping that Cordero would play more than he has, with the teenager yet to even start a single game for his new club.
While that is a concern, Waugh adds that there is hope that he is still benefiting from his time at KVC Westerlo despite his limited minutes.
Whether or not that is the case will only be discovered when Cordero returns to Tyneside. Hopefully it is benefiting him, otherwise this will have been a waste of a year for a player who is tipped to become a member of the Newcastle United first-team squad in the coming years.
Who Newcastle United think Antonio Cordero can be better than
As soon as his arrival at St James’ Park was confirmed, Newcastle fans were comparing Cordero to Ayoze Perez.
He enjoyed a bright career at St James’ Park, before going on to blossom even further. A return to his homeland has done wonders for Perez’s career, with the forward part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024.
However, Newcastle have higher hopes for Cordero than Perez. They believe he has even more potential, which is incredibly exciting.
In turn, that is why Cordero’s current loan exploits are so disappointing.
But it is still early days, and there is plenty of time for Cordero to be a hit in Belgium before heading back to Tyneside.