Atlanta United president Darren Eales has revealed what Newcastle United can expect from club record signing Miguel Almiron.
The Paraguay international arrived on Tyneside on deadline day from the MLS champions but is yet to be seen in the black and white stripes, and Eales has spilled the beans on the 25-year-old, suggesting that the Toon Army will quickly fall in love with his lightning pace and incredible work ethic.
“He’s an unbelievable person as a character,” he told the Daily Mirror. “He smiles all the time. From that perspective of engaging with the fans he was an instant fan favourite because of his demeanour. In terms of his playing on the pitch, he is non-stop, perpetual motion. He is faster with the ball than without it. He reminds me very much of Gareth Bale that way.
“When Gareth picked the ball up, he always seemed to be quicker when he had the ball and Miggy is like that with his pace. But the big thing for him and why I think he is really suited for the Premier League is, yes he is a brilliantly exciting attacking player, particularly in transition but he works really hard in defending.”
OPINION
This is all extremely encouraging for Newcastle. The fact that Almiron is a hard worker, as well as a naturally gifted footballer, should instantly endear him to the Magpies faithful. The club’s fans can accept players not being at their best every week as long as they are trying their upmost for the team, and Almiron will seemingly do that. As far as the Gareth Bale comparison goes, we’ll have to wait and see whether that proves correct. To be fair, Eales is only saying that Almiron is similar to Bale in that he is quicker with the ball than without it. He’s not actually saying Almiron’s the next Bale. But the fact that he seems to have a good character and is a hard worker is exactly what the Newcastle fans will have wanted to hear. If he can perform as well as he did at Atlanta then Magpies supporters will be in for a real treat, but there’s no doubt he’ll be working hard for the team no matter what.
