Speaking in regards to the transfer revelations dropped by Miguel Almiron’s agent recently, former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Daniel Campos must be ‘drunk’.
The midfielder’s representative recently told Paraguayan radio station Futgol 970 (via Roberto Rojas) that big clubs at home and aboard were keen on Almiron who reportedly wants to play in a side who dominate possession.
“Not a chance,” said the retired forward to Football Insider.
“For his agent to say that he must be drunk.”
“For me Almiron has not done anything yet to prove that he deserves a move. He works hard and shows a good work rate but his quality going forward has not been there.”
While that is probably a reference to his lack of goal involvements (9 in 62 games for the Magpies), it does seem a little harsh. Noted for his work rate and his versatility, it’s not as if Newcastle’s style of play particularly lends itself to attacking players given they average the fewest number of shots on target per Premier League game (2.5, via WhoScored) in the division.
What would you do with Miguel Almiron?
Keep
Sell
As a cog in a slicker machine, a player capable of carrying the ball at speed while also boasting the tenacity to track back could certainly be useful. Indeed, just because a player struggles somewhere doesn’t mean they can’t improve in better surroundings.
After all, Georginio Wijnaldum was dropped towards the end of his career with Newcastle under Rafa Benitez before eventually moving to Liverpool, where he’s since won both the Champions League and Premier League.
Almiron may not be the prolific attacking sensation fans will have hoped for after his then-club-record move from Atlanta but certainly played his part in some of the entertaining football deployed by Benitez during the closing stages of his tenure, as well as crucial goals against the likes of Crystal Palace and Wolves last season.
To suggest otherwise is frankly wrong.