“I’ve seen it. Crystal Palace last year, the goal he scored that day was an individual goal and had similar parts to it to today’s goal,” Eddie Howe replied when asked of Miguel Almiron's stunner in the 4-1 win over Fulham. "He’s capable of doing magical things and for me that was a magical goal."
Almiron can indeed do 'magical things' in a Newcastle shirt, as witnessed in the capital over the weekend. The Paraguayan pulled out his best Marco Van Basten impression as he flicked a powerful volley beyond Bernd Leno to send the travelling Geordie faithful into raptures at the opposite end of the ground.
Almiron's brace earned him yet more praise from Howe, players and fans alike as the former MLS star enjoys the perks of a positive weekend. But despite enjoying a wealth of game time already this term, criticism has been levelled at the wide man in recent weeks.
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Draws with Crystal Palace and Bournemouth saw Newcastle struggle without the creativity that Callum Wilson, Allan Saint-Maximin and Bruno Guimaraes provide week in, week out. Almiron and Ryan Fraser just don't offer the same amount of killer instinct as their attacking counterparts and are regularly pulled up on this fact.
The age old question remains regarding Almiron and his future at the club. Can he improve his output in the final third?
It was a question that emerged towards the back end of last season when Fraser spent time on the sidelines, just as Almiron netted *that* Leazes End stunner against Crystal Palace. The expectation back then was the 28-year-old would use the strike as a springboard to kick on towards the end of the campaign before a summer transfer window that promised attacking alternatives through the door.
Instead, Almiron failed to register a goal or assist in the five games that followed and before this weekend had only scored once this season. The last time he assisted a team-mate at club level was back in 2020.
Howe continues to offer significant public and private support to Almiron, championing him at every turn as has become a regular occurrence with Newcastle's other first-team stars in the past 11 months.
Miggy's popularity within the United dressing room was clear to see at Craven Cottage on Saturday, with the entire Magpies XI, apart from Nick Pope, running over to celebrate with the scorer after Goal of the Season contender in the first-half.
When it comes to internal backing, Almiron has it in bucketloads. “I’m delighted for Miggy, he’s such an infectious character, his work sort of epitomises our play really so it was great to see," Howe added after the game.
The backing from the manager, team-mates and fans remains. But Almiron must show his lingering critics he can offer up performances like the one at Fulham on a regular basis to be assured of his long-term future at St James' Park.
