Attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron wants out of Newcastle United… ASAP.
Newcastle United are utilizing the international break to prepare for their clash against Chelsea this weekend, but the club also received some interesting news during this time.
According to Roberto Rojas (see Tweet below), a Paraguayan-American reporter who writes for beIN Sports USA, Miguel Almiron has been ready to part ways with Newcastle United for some time now.
Rojas took to Twitter to summarize statements made by Almiron’s agent Daniel Campos in a recent interview for a Paraguayan radio station. The key takeaway is that Almiron would have already left Newcastle United if there was not a global pandemic, and his preference is to play for a team that enjoys more possession of the ball.
Daniel Campos, the agent of #NUFC’s Miguel Almiron’s spoke on Paraguayan radio today about how Atlético Madrid had indeed been interested in the player but that an offer was never made. He also said that had it not been for the pandemic, he would’ve left England already. pic.twitter.com/FKrQkLDCi9
— Roberto Rojas (@RobertoRojas97) November 16, 2020
That being said, both Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce deserve blame for this latest transfer update. Yes, Almiron needs to take a good look in the mirror for some of his performances as well, but Benitez and Bruce played major roles in hindering Almiron’s impact at Newcastle United.
Why Blame Benitez?
Almiron is a talented, dynamic player who can cause major problems in the final third, and Benitez deserves credit for scouting the Paraguayan and bringing him over to Newcastle United. The problem, however, is that the Spaniard did not utilize Almiron the right way once during his time on Tyneside.
Almiron is at his best in the number ten role, which is also reflected in his statistics in that role when he played for Atlanta United, but Benitez constantly deployed him out wide. Playing out of position placed a ceiling on his overall production and that is why Almiron did not score a single goal or provide an assist under Benitez.
His inability to have more direct access to the action up the middle also hurt his confidence in a big way. It is worth mentioning that Benitez was the primary pull factor for Almiron joining Newcastle United, so one can only assume how Almiron’s mentality changed after seeing the man who brought him to the club leave four months later.
Why Blame Bruce?
Bruce deserves to be blamed because he, like Benitez, is not utilize Almiron the right way. Yes, Bruce actually tried playing Almiron in his preferred position up the middle, and at times even played him alongside Joelinton as a striker, but it is pointless because the ball never reaches him.
Bruce’s ultra-defensive, ball-chasing tactics force key attacking players, such as Almiron, to wait several minutes to get a touch in the final third. The only way Almiron gets involved is by running back deep in midfield, but he cannot orchestrate any meaningful attacks that way.
The fact that Bruce has left Almiron on the bench multiple times this season does not help the situation either.
Final Word
Almiron’s work rate won the fans over ever since his debut, but the lack of goals and assists in the stat sheet have led to a lot of criticism. He is one of the most talented players in the squad, but the Magpies’ style of play clearly does not fit him, and some can argue that he lacks sufficient strength to cope with the aggressive football in England.
La Liga and Serie A, on the other hand, are two leagues that are right up Almiron’s alley, and he would not have any trouble finding a suitor in either country.
It remains to be seen what will happen, but if public statements about a departure are already being made then the writing is on the wall.