While Miguel Almiron could be set for an exit from Newcastle United, his replacement may already be on the books for the Magpies.
Outside of the tactics that he deploys each match, one of the biggest criticisms of Steve Bruce this season has been the exclusion of Miguel Almiron in the starting lineup. Now, it seems like Almiron’s time with Newcastle United is officially running out.
If Miggy were to move on from the club, whether that’s the unlikely time of this winter or the more likely summer of 2021, his departure would leave a noticeable hole for the Magpies. The 26-year-old Paraguayan is a fan favorite and a dynamic player. While Newcastle could look elsewhere for a replacement, the perfect player to take over that role may already be on the books at NUFC.
Rodrigo Vilca arrived on Tyneside at the beginning of October from Municipal in his native Peru. The 21-year-old will be playing with the U-23s this season and would bring a similar player profile to the first team next season as Almiron.
The attacking midfielder is comfortable driving forward with the ball at his feet and has quality vision in the final third. Like Almiron, Vilca also appears to be a very willing defender.
It’s not fair to expect Vilca, six years younger and less experienced on the first-team level, to be the equivalent of Almiron in 2021. But, he adds a similar dimension and could develop into a star for the Magpies. While it will be tough to potentially lose a player that was the club’s record signing just a few years ago, the presence of Vilca will help ease that blow.