Why Newcastle United would be wise to drop Miguel Almiron for a few games

Miguel Almiron joined Premier League outfit Newcastle United from Atalanta United for a fee of £20m earlier in January this year, as per BBC.

Prior to arriving at St. James Park, the Paraguayan star had notched up returns of 22 goals and 19 assists in a total of 68 appearances in the MLS over two seasons. These numbers are pretty impressive for a player profiled as an attacking midfielder. However, since joining the Magpies, Almiron has only looked like a shadow of his former self.

The fact that he is yet to score or assist a single goal – despite playing 10 league games last season and 13 matches in the ongoing campaign – is enough to send alarm bells in the Newcastle camp.

The BBC report further states that by paying £20m to sign Almiron, the Toon army shattered their transfer record by eclipsing the £16m they paid to sign Michael Owen back in 2005. What should have been a statement signing has ended up becoming a flop move for Newcastle.

Lately, the Magpies have often stuttered in their attack. Not only do they lack a prolific goalscorer, but Steve Bruce’s men have also lacked any sort of creativity in the midfield. And that does not bode well for Almiron since that is literally his job.

To be an attacker and not score or assist a single goal since his debut in February is rather worrisome. And to make matters worse, Newcastle’s position in the league isn’t very good either.

Having scored merely 11 goals from 13 league games thus far, the Tyneside outfit, alongside Crystal Palace, have registered the second-lowest amount of goals in the competition until now. Watford, who are placed at the bottom of the table, have scored only 8, marking the least amount of goals scored in the top-flight this season.

That said, Newcastle must not compare themselves to a relegation-threatened outfit and suffice to say that Bruce’s men are in trouble.

Amidst a myriad of ongoing troubles, Newcastle would be wise to drop Almiron for a few games. Instead, relying on Christian Atsu would provide greater pace and dimension since he has more Premier League experience than the lacklustre 25-year-old.

Thus, in order to save his job and Newcastle’s season, Bruce must take Almiron out of the first-team picture for the time being and look for alternative tactics.