It’s time for Steve Bruce to bench Miguel Almiron

Miguel Almiron has been given several chances to have a meaningful impact at Newcastle United, but his lack of production is becoming a major problem.

Between January and July, Miguel Almiron was the most expensive signing in the history of Newcastle United. At the time, Rafa Benitez was keen on bringing Almiron over from Atlanta United, and you can’t blame the Spaniard for being interested in a player who dominated the MLS with electrifying performances week in and week out.

Fast forward to today, though, and it’s fair to say that Almiron has looked like an average player in the Premier League. He was a goal scoring machine across the Atlantic, but he is struggling to find the back of the net with Newcastle United. What’s worse is the fact that Almiron, who was purchased to be the team’s playmaker, has not even bagged an assist.

I understand that it takes time for new players who come in from different leagues to adapt to English football, and I have written multiple articles asking fans to be patient with Almiron, but even I think his time as a starter is up. So far this season, Almiron has only taken eight shots, with six of them being off target. That low tally and poor precision after six games is completely unacceptable.

Almiron to the Bench

Newcastle United started the season in a 3-5-2 formation, but over the last few weeks they have been playing in a 4-5-1 shape. That being the case, Almiron has been playing out wide on the right side of the pitch. Allan Saint-Maximin has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but now that he is fully recovered he should take over in that right midfield position.

Some of you might want to see Almiron and Saint-Maximin start together, but Christian Atsu has been in top form lately and, in my eyes, he is untouchable. Yesterday’s game against Brighton serves as a perfect example of how Almiron failed to orchestrate attacks against a vulnerable back-line. Moreover, he wasted more golden scoring opportunities.

Saint-Maximin, on the other hand, was far more productive in the same position and he was only on the pitch for 18 minutes. In those 18 minutes, the French winger delivered four or five crosses in the box, took two shots from distance and hustled back defensively to win the ball back.

I want Almiron to find success Tyneside, and maybe him being benched will ignite the internal spark he needs to start playing at an elite level. Benching Almiron will also show us how mature he is as a professional. Any good player would use that situation as motivation to get back into the team, but some act like children who throw tantrums and demand transfers. If Almiron doesn’t turn things around soon, my next article will be “Newcastle United should sell Miguel Almiron.”