Report: What some at Newcastle say about Almiron behind the scenes

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Miguel Almiron is viewed behind the scenes at Newcastle United as the ideal player for the way Eddie Howe wants his side to work off the ball, according to a report from The Athletic.

Almiron looks like a player transformed so far this season. The Paraguayan had previously really struggled to make a game-changing impact during his first few campaigns on Tyneside.

The 28-year-old’s best goals return in the Premier League had been four. This time around, Almiron has already found the back of the net four times – in just nine appearances.

Almiron seen as the ideal off-the-ball player for Eddie Howe

But it is the other aspects of his game which are attracting real plaudits too. According to FB Ref, no player in the Newcastle squad has made a greater number of successful pressures than Almiron.

Meanwhile, he has attempted a staggering 60 pressures in the final third. That puts him 19 clear of the next best player in Howe’s squad. Only six players in the Premier League meanwhile, have managed more (FB Ref).

That number is particularly outstanding when you consider how well Newcastle have been performing this season. The quality of their press has played a key role in their rise up the table. And Almiron is leading the way.

In fact, The Athletic reports that Almiron has been described behind the scenes at Newcastle as the perfect off-the-ball player for Howe.

There was scepticism when Howe went into Newcastle. Of course, his time at Bournemouth ended in disappointing fashion. And it seemed that he was getting the role while the club’s new owners looked for a more marquee name.

But the Englishman has silenced any doubters emphatically. The impact he has had on a number of his players has been staggering.

And Almiron’s transformation is one of the most impressive of the lot. It is almost just frustrating that these players were not given the chance to play this way sooner.