Another start, another full 90, another match without a significant contribution from Newcastle United’s Miguel Almirón. After arriving from Atlanta United for a club-record fee of $27 million last January, it’s now 20 Premier League appearances for the 25-year-old Paraguayan without a single goal or assist.
Today’s 1-1 draw with Wolves at St. James’ Park was a microcosm of his time in England: Newcastle largely played without invention — registering only two shots on target despite being the home side — and the one chance that fell to Almirón was wasted by a heavy first touch.
The winger’s pace caused problems for Wolves and his work rate remained admirable throughout, but when Matty Longstaff released him on goal with a beautiful ball over the top of Wolves’ defense in the 34th minute, Almirón’s touch conspired against him and he could only strike the outside of the netting with Rui Patrício rushing out to meet him.
The ball boy’s reaction is every Newcastle supporter watching Almirón lately.
This boy ball giving the thumbs up to Almiron is priceless. pic.twitter.com/DHbMsVVfwl
— (@69DlOR) October 27, 2019
The draw keeps Newcastle stuck in 17th-place, just one point above the relegation zone. While the club boasts a better defensive record than fourth-place Chelsea, they’ve managed only six goals in 10 games. Newcastle has yet to score multiple goals in a single match this season. They’re the only Premier League side to hold that ominous distinction.
This is a very agricultural team, perhaps best exemplified my midfield creator Sean Longstaff getting sent off in the 82nd minute for a robust challenge that resulted in his studs going above Rúben Neves’ knee. The Toon's victory over Tottenham was secured with just 19 percent possession while the win over Manchester United was achieved with 31 percent. It's not champagne football.
Although his decisiveness in the final third has deserted him, Almirón isn’t entirely to blame, and more importantly, the Paraguayan isn't hiding. What's more, patience isn’t exactly wearing thin on Tyneside. His backup, Christian Atsu, has three goals and four assists in 64 PL appearances for Newcastle.
So Almirón’s place isn’t in jeopardy; he’s not going anywhere. Newcastle will sink or swim with its record signing this season. If he’s finally able to produce in the final third, Newcastle survives; if not, Major League Soccer’s record export is plying his trade in the Championship come 2020.
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