Miguel Almiron was a laughing stock amid Manchester City’s wild title-winning celebrations in May. Just hours after clinching his first Premier League, Jack Grealish - who played a peripheral role throughout the season - ripped into the Newcastle United forward.
The England international mockingly taunted teammate Riyad Mahrez, suggesting the winger “played like Almiron” in City’s dramatic final-day showdown. While rival fans laughed, Toon supporters leaped to the defence of their player who had produced signs of regaining his once-infectious confidence.
Almiron had only shown glimpses of the devastating form that has terrorised top-flight defences in recent weeks. The Paraguayan started just two of Eddie Howe’s first 16 games as Newcastle manager; summer talks had been ordered by his agent in January but, from March onwards, he showed signs of improvement.
