Newcastle United head coach Steve Bruce has lauded Miguel Almiron after the Paraguayan scored his first goal for the club, and feels the midfielder’s performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday has left him with some serious questions to answer.
Almiron opened his Magpies account in what was his 27th appearance for the St. James’ Park outfit, when he fired home an off-balanced half volley in the 83rd-minute to secure Bruce his seventh Premier League win in the Toon dugout.
Bruce had previously favoured Almiron as a wide forward option, much like his predecessor Rafa Benitez, but drafted the £42,327-per-week 25-year-old into a central role against the Eagles with Paul Dummett and Javier Manquillo given greater freedom to advance forward from full-back.
It was only the third time that Almiron had played centrally for the club since his £21million arrival from MLS franchise Atlanta United in January, and Bruce has confirmed that he is now considering whether or not to continue on with the 23-cap international pulling the strings in-behind the centre-forwards.
“He’s a bloody good player, a great pro and trains as if every day is his last,” Bruce said, via quotes by the Telegraph.
“His work-rate for the team is fantastic and he just needed a goal, which he’s got now.
“Maybe playing in midfield loosened him up a bit so it’s food for thought moving forward.”
Where should Almiron start vs Man Utd on Boxing Day?
Left-wing
Centre
Right-wing
As well as hitting his first goal in Black and White and once again impressing Bruce with his work rate, Almiron completed 94% of his 35 passes on Saturday against Crystal Palace, per WhoScored data.
While neither of his 33 accurate passes led to a key ball, Almiron coupled his 54 touches with two on-target shots, completed two of his five dribbles, won four of his seven attempted tackles and penned two interceptions.
Almiron was also only dispossessed once against the Eagles, coming in the fourth minute of an action-paced display for the Paraguayan.
In other Newcastle United news, the Toon have been credited with an interest in an £18million man likely set to be sold in January.