Born in 2008 in Lier, Belgium, Noah Fernandez moved to the Netherlands quickly, joining PSV Eindhoven academy in 2015, at only 7 years old. Playing as a central midfielder or as a number ten a bit higher up the pitch, he is among those who stand out. The Belgian made all his appearances for PSV, recently getting to the first team, playing 10 minutes against PEC Zwolle in October. At the same time, Fernandez played for almost all the Belgian youth categories, starting at U15, and already played a few minutes for the U19. Most recently, he represented his country at the U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Fernandez really is a “pocket player”. He stands at less than 1.70 m and has an ectomorphic body type. He looks fairly lightweight, lacking power both in his upper and lower body, which makes him vulnerable in physical duels. Despite that, he has solid endurance, allowing him to last the full 90 minutes and handle a congested fixture list—just like at the U17 World Cup, where he started four matches and logged a total of 327 minutes in just 12 days. Switching between central midfield and the No.10 role, the young Belgian shows a decent overall work rate, contributing well to the team’s off-the-ball efforts. Left-footed with a silky touch, he relies almost exclusively on his stronger foot—like many left-footed players. His dribbling ability is remarkable thanks to his small frame and low center of gravity: his body feints, sharp changes of direction, and agility are absolutely devastating. His acceleration coming out of a dribble is good, but he cannot sustain it over longer distances, and his overall top speed is too limited for him to be a real threat in behind or on the wing.
On the ball, Fernandez shows impressive quality and composure for his age. One of his main strengths—if not his biggest—is his ball control. He keeps the ball close with constant small touches, far enough from defenders to stay out of reach. He is also capable of driving forward beautifully, whether through the middle or cutting inside, where it is almost inevitable for opponents to foul to stop him. This ball control, combined with his agility, allows him to thrive in tight spaces, weaving between defenders and often winning fouls. On top of these qualities, he has an excellent first touch and above-average game intelligence, paired with very good passing ability, allowing him to put his teammates in the best positions with both precision and perfect timing. If all his technical qualities were not enough, Fernandez is, in my view, one of the best direct free-kick takers of his generation, capable of curling the ball into the top corners with such precision that goalkeepers barely stand a chance. Just in order to point out a negative, I would say that he does have a tendency to overplay at times, overdoing dribbles and occasionally isolating himself a bit too much.
When his team is out of possession, Fernandez—despite playing as a No.10, an attacking threat—remains heavily involved and effective. He can press opponents at the right tempo, cut passing lanes with his good game reading, and even make occasional tackles, all while staying on his feet.
Given his profile and strengths, Fernandez lacks versatility. This was evident against Portugal U17, where he was deployed on the right and was far less influential. His qualities are clearly tied to a central role, particularly as a No.10. I know he also played as a left-back during PSV’s preseason, and although I have not seen those matches, it seems to me that this is not a position suited to him.
Cognitively, the young Belgian is also highly advanced. In the congested central areas, he senses the presence of both opponents and teammates, allowing him to exploit the spaces left open and make decisive moves. Mentally, the Belgian does not show any standout traits: he does not appear to take on a leadership role within his national team despite a solid number of caps, and from what I have read, there are no behavioral issues to report.
In conclusion, I think you have probably guessed it: I’m a fan of this young Belgian prodigy. His profile as a No.10, a true friend of the ball and of football itself, is becoming increasingly rare in the modern game. At just 17 years old, Fernandez still has a lot to achieve, and sometimes circumstances can be more decisive than talent in a career. But I believe he has the qualities needed to play at the very highest level and etch his name into the history of the Diables Rouges. I hope he gets the chance to see game time under Peter Bosz in the second half of the season, particularly during the AFCON, as Saibari, the current starter in his position, is expected to join Morocco.
Target Scouting 