Almiron continues to be polarizing for Newcastle United

There are a lot of different opinions on Miguel Almiron’s performance since arriving at Newcastle United, especially this season.

If you were to ask two different people, whether they were just supporters or experts, about Miguel Almiron’s Newcastle United form, you would very likely get two completely contrasting responses. While some think he’s great, others think he needs benched. How can everyone watch the same player and come to such different conclusions? Well, it’s complicated.

Miggy arrived less than a year ago from Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United and immediately provided pace and aggression to Rafa Benitez’s side that desperately needed both. But, he didn’t score any goals or register any assists, missing some big chances down the stretch before an injury cut his season short.

Early this season, it was more of the same. He wowed us all with his long, weaving runs through the defense, only to stumble in the box or shoot the ball directly at the goalkeeper. I was among the people that thought maybe he needed to be benched, because despite his impact of energizing the team, a final product was needed from a starting winger in the Premier League.

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Then, there were two defining moments in back-to-back matches. First, Almiron sat vs. Burnley with an injury and the attack, also missing Allan Saint-Maximin, looked lifeless. I would’ve done anything to see at least one of his dribbling drives towards the goal. Then, he returned vs. Crystal Palace and FINALLY broke through. The whole soccer world, outside of Palace fans, seemed genuinely excited for the Paraguayan, who never stopped running during that lengthy goalless drought.

He missed chances vs. Manchester United on Boxing Day and a big one vs. Everton yesterday. A target of criticism for diving in the past, people were critical that he didn’t go down in the first half yesterday to draw a penalty. Now, fans and experts that were singing his praises after the goal vs. Palace are again clamoring for him to be dropped from Steve Bruce’s lineup.

Honestly, the most accurate analysis of him should be somewhere between the two. Yes, an attacking player that starts as consistently as Almiron needs to have more than one goal and one assist to show for it. But, his impact on the match goes far beyond the numbers. He attracts defenders away from his teammates with his speed and dribbling. I don’t think Almiron is a juggernaut in the Premier League, but I also don’t think he’s deserving of being benched. He’s an exciting player that will continue to improve as he keeps getting used to the style and speed of the English top flight.