Things continue to go from bad to worse for Newcastle United youngster Antonio Cordero, whose loan spell in Belgium has become a major disappointment for both the player and the club.
The 18-year-old midfielder joined Newcastle United in the summer on a free transfer after his contract with Malaga expired, with the club viewing him as a bright young prospect for the future. However, the plan to send him on loan to gain valuable experience has not gone according to expectations, leaving questions about his development and Newcastle’s decision-making regarding his placement.
When Cordero arrived at St James’ Park, the club’s intention was to immediately send him out on loan where he could play consistent senior football. The idea was simple let him gain first-team experience abroad, toughen up in a competitive league, and return ready to challenge for a spot in Newcastle’s senior setup.
Belgium’s KVC Westerlo appeared to be the ideal destination, a club known for giving opportunities to young players and competing in a strong European league. Yet, things have unfolded in the worst possible way.
So far, Cordero has featured just seven times for Westerlo, all from the bench, and has yet to start a single game. The lack of playing time has been deeply frustrating, as he was expected to develop by playing regular football, not by watching from the sidelines.
Recently, his situation has deteriorated further, as he was left out entirely from Westerlo’s matchday squad for their last two league fixtures defeats to Genk and Royal Charleroi. The team’s form has been poor, sitting in 12th place in the Belgian Pro League, and yet Cordero has not been given a chance to help turn things around.
This sudden absence from the squad has raised concern among Newcastle supporters, who had been hopeful that the young Spaniard would use this loan as a springboard to show his potential.
Going from a bench player struggling for minutes to being completely excluded from the team is a worrying sign for a player so early in his development.
His last appearance came on October 30th, when he played just 15 minutes as a substitute in a disappointing Croky Cup defeat to Beerschot VA, a club competing in Belgium’s second division. That match ended in embarrassment for Westerlo and marked Cordero’s final appearance so far.
| Antonio Cordero – Loan Spell at KVC Westerlo (2025 Season) | Stat | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances (All Competitions) | 7 | |
| Starts | 0 | |
| Minutes Played | 109 | |
| Last Appearance | 30 October (vs Beerschot VA) | |
| Goals | 0 | |
| Assists | 0 | |
| Current Status | Not in Matchday Squad | |
| Source: Belgian League Data |
For Newcastle, this situation poses a serious dilemma heading into the January transfer window. The club must decide whether to allow Cordero to remain at Westerlo in the hope that things improve, or to terminate the loan and find him a new team where he can actually play regularly.
Every passing week without minutes only delays his development and makes the loan spell less useful to his long-term progress.
The question now is why the loan has gone so wrong. Is it a matter of the player not fitting into Westerlo’s tactical setup, or has he simply failed to impress the coaching staff enough to earn more playing time?
Westerlo’s struggles in the league might also have contributed to the issue, as managers often prefer to rely on experienced players in difficult periods rather than taking risks with young loanees. Regardless of the reason, Newcastle’s choice to send him there is beginning to look like a mistake.
Loan spells can be unpredictable, especially for young talents moving abroad for the first time. Some players adapt quickly, while others struggle to adjust to a new culture, playing style, and level of physicality.
For Cordero, this experience may end up being more of a lesson than an opportunity. His confidence could take a hit from spending so much time on the sidelines, which is exactly what Newcastle hoped to avoid when arranging the move.
Newcastle United’s academy and development staff will likely reassess Cordero’s situation soon. The primary goal now should be to find a solution that gets him back on the pitch regularly.
Whether that means recalling him and sending him to a lower-league English club, or arranging a different loan move abroad, something clearly needs to change.
The Magpies rate Cordero highly, and his technical ability and vision on the ball were among the reasons he was brought to England. But without match experience, those qualities cannot be refined or showcased. It’s crucial that Newcastle handle this situation carefully to ensure that one poor loan spell does not stall the development of a player with potential.
For now, Cordero’s future remains uncertain. What was supposed to be a promising chapter in his young career has turned into a frustrating struggle for minutes.
As January approaches, Newcastle will have to act decisively to get his development back on track, because leaving him in Belgium to sit on the bench benefits no one not the player, not Westerlo, and certainly not Newcastle United.
