Antonio Cordero is having a loan spell to forget away from Newcastle United.
The 18-year-old joined Newcastle United on a free transfer during the summer transfer window, arriving at St James’ Park following the expiration of his Malaga contract.
The plan was always to immediately loan him out, with Antonio Cordero sent to Belgium to play for KVC Westerlo. The hope was for him to play regularly and continue his development, with the view to eventually becoming a member of the first-team squad.
However, that is not how things are panning out. Cordero is not playing as much as Newcastle United had hoped, with the Spaniard making just seven appearances so far.
He has not started a single game for Westerlo this season, and his situation has now taken another turn.
Antonio Cordero is unveiled as a Newcastle United player.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Antonio Cordero suddenly missing from Westerlo squad
Westerlo have lost back-to-back games in the Jupiler Pro League, with defeats to Genk and Royal Charleroi leaving them in 12th position in the table.
Cordero did not appear in either of those losses. In fact, he was not even on the bench.
The teenager has gone from struggling for minutes as a substitute to not even being part of the matchday squad. It is a worrying turn of events for a player who Newcastle United have high hopes for.
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Cordero’s last appearance for Westerlo came on 30th October. He played 15 minutes as a substitute as his side were knocked out of the Croky Cup by Beerschot VA. That was a rather humiliating exit for Westerlo, with Beerschot plying their trade in the second tier of Belgian football.
Newcastle United have a big decision to make with Antonio Cordero
This really is turning into another loan disaster, so much so that Newcastle United must consider Cordero’s future ahead of the January transfer window.
They must decide whether or not to persist with him at Westerlo, or cancel the loan and find a new club for a player who has barely been given any opportunities since arriving in Belgium.
The concern is why is he not getting those chances. Does he not suit Westerlo’s style of play, or is he simply not good enough?
No matter what the answer is, Newcastle’s decision to send Cordero there becomes more and more questionable with each passing game that he does not feature in.