Once reported to not be a good enough player under the new regime at Newcastle united, is now currently top goal scorer with the club currently sitting in 6th place two points off a Champions League spot. Miguel Almiron, or as the natives refer to him as ''Miggy'', has been one of Newcastle United's brightest player's so far this season. He capped another very good performance on Thursday evening and complimented the result with a superb finish giving Newcastle a deserved 1-0 victory over Everton. He's been arguably Newcastle United's most influential forward this season, and has scored some fantastic goals. Most notably a stupendous volley against Fulham, an afternoon where Newcastle United put four past the London side with Almiron scoring two. His performance against Champions and league leaders Manchester City was one also to admire, where again the Paraguayan international scored and linked up brilliantly with Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson in that front line. The 28 year old looks to have added real maturity to his game along with a better end product which was where the real question mark was.
When Miguel Almiron arrived on Tyneside on the 31st January 2019, there was a real excitement among the Newcastle fans. Not only did former owner Mike Ashley go against his usual transfer policy and pay more than £15 Million for a top tier player, but he was regarded as one of Major League Soccer's best talents. He arrived with a strong reputation and good scoring record, 21 goals in 62 appearances for Atlanta United. He started well under then Newcastle United Manager Rafa Benitez, linking up very well with Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez in a three which allowed the team to play with more attacking finesse. Although Miguel Almiron didn't score in those last four months of the season, he showcased his work rate and ability to create space with his pace and not afraid to run with the ball, which is an attribute that every football fan wants to see. The club finished strong during those latter stages and were able to steer themselves from trouble finishing mid-table.
Unfortunately for Almiron he had to experience his first Summer under Newcastle United's toxic ownership. Rafa Benitez had departed the club to explore a more lucrative opportunity in China, and following his departure was top goal scorer from the season before. Ayoze Perez who completed his transfer to Leicester City in July. Steve Bruce came in and steadied the ship during a COVID hit season, and it was a season Almiron could be happy with contributing 8 goals and finishing Newcastle's top goal scorer in all competitions. He was integral to a very good FA Cup run scoring 4 goals in 6 appearances, pushing Newcastle to a Quarter-Final. It was December 19th 2019 which provided the moment of the season for Almiron and his biggest fans. He scored his first Premier League goal for the Club, which led Newcastle to a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. It was the celebration that provided the excitement, sprinting straight into the corner of the famous Gallowgate End with his shirt off looking like it's the first ever goal he's ever scored in his career.
During the 20/21 season, Almiron had to endure a behind closed doors atmosphere due to COVID which both the team and manager struggled with. That season Almiron had more appearances than any other player in the squad, playing 39 competitive fixtures scoring five goals. This was the season when questions on Miguel Almiron's combined end product were starting to get raised. In his defence, he was playing in a team that were very short of confidence and playing under a very tactically inept system. If it were not for Almiron's team mate Joe Willock, Newcastle could have very easily have found themselves in the Championship with no new ownership inbound.
21/22 was a season that all Newcastle United fans will never forget and will always reminisce on. After two years of negotiations and hurdles, PCP Partners, RB Sports and the PIF completed the takeover of Newcastle resulting in Mike Ashley's depressing tenure concluding. Steve Bruce vacated his position as Head Coach, and the impressive and enthusiastic Eddie Howe came in and the Toon Army haven't looked back. However with all the excitement there was expectation on transfers and quite a few players including Miguel Almiron were no doubt looking over their shoulder. Almiron only scored one goal that season, and there were rumours that he may be sold in the summer transfer window to make room for new arrivals. Players such as Jack Harrison, Joao Pedro, Moussa Diaby and Christian Pulisic were and still are strongly linked with the football club. Although Newcastle will more than likely strengthen in this area still come either January or Summer in 2023, Howe has worked his magic on Almiron allowing him to become a big part player in the plans moving forward.
If there is one player who deserves accolade in this league it's ''Miggy''. A player who has a smile on his face every time he plays and never stops covering the ground, whether that's moving forward or back. A player who refused to enter a war of words with Jack Grealish, after Grealish publicly mocked Miguel Almiron's ability when discussing the current form of Ryiad Mahrez. The character of Miguel Almiron will always impress and will never be challenged. He's very much on his way to become a Newcastle United folk hero and no doubt will work ever so hard to get there.