Former Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has backed Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron to hit double figures this season. Almiron scored twice in Newcastle's 4-1 win at Fulham, before notching his fourth goal of the campaign in the 5-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday.
The 24-year-old has scored four goals in nine league games, equalling his personal record for goals in a single Premier League season. Kenny believes Almiron is one of many players who've improved under Eddie Howe and has tipped him to smash his record this term.
"10 goals in a season can be worth a couple of places at the end of the year," Kenny told Football Insider. "Almiron scored a load of goals in pre-season, I remember talking about it.
READ MORE: Gary Neville sees hope at Newcastle after club opt against 'ridiculous approach'
"So many players have gone to another level under Eddie Howe and we were thinking Almiron would be the next one. Maybe it doesn’t look like he has improved that much but he scored once last season. I think he went 30-odd games without scoring.
“Now he has four in nine this year. With the confidence it looks like he has, there is no reason he can’t get 10 or more goals this season."
Almiron joined Newcastle from Atlanta United in January 2019 for a fee in the region of £20 million after winning the MLS Cup in 2018. The Paraguayan international took 26 games to score his maiden Premier League goal and scored four league goals in each of his first two full seasons.
He netted just once in 30 games in the Premier League last season but has built on the eight goals that he notched during pre-season.
READ NEXT
- Test your knowledge of Newcastle United's first year under new ownership
- Newcastle owners' stadium plan makes sense as opposition players' St James' Park fear emerges
- Eddie Howe's emotional phone call as Newcastle 'warrior' says goodbye
- Leicester talks will have a big say on Newcastle's dream James Maddison transfer after bids
- Graeme Souness' explosive first Newcastle meeting as he turns air blue with words to players