Quantcast
Social Media

Redknapp urges Almiron to step up

|
Image for Redknapp urges Almiron to step up

Jamie Redknapp shared that he believes Miguel Almiron is among the Newcastle players who need to stand up in the 2019/20 season.

The pundit stated that he thought the 25-year-old attacking midfielder showed glimpses of his talent after joining from Atlanta in January and did enough to justify Rafa Benitez wanting to sign him.

However, Redknapp added that with Newcastle looking like their in turmoil following the departures of Benitez, Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez then Almiron had to up his game for Steve Bruce’s side.

“Michael Owen’s club record £16.8million move to Newcastle in 2005 was finally broken when Rafa Benitez brought in Almiron for £20m from Atlanta in January,” wrote Redknapp in his club by club guide for the Daily Mail (Page 21, Saturday, August 3rd).

“You could see why Benitez fancied him. Almiron showed glimpses of what he can do in the second half of last season.

“Now Newcastle have lost attacker Ayoze Perez to Leicester, not got striker Salomon Rondon back and Benitez is in China. The club feels in turmoil.

“Almiron will be one of those who needs to stand up and I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got.”

OPINION

Redknapp’s verdict on Almiron is spot on. The 25-year-old was only able to show glimpses of his ability and in the upcoming campaign, Newcastle fans will be expecting to see more from him. Almiron played 10 times for the Magpies after joining, failing to score or register an assist, before seeing his season cut short after picking up a hamstring injury. With Perez and Rondon gone, the pair were the Magpies’ top scorers last season,  Almiron needs to up his game by actually getting on the scoresheet.  In his 10 Premier League appearances so far, Almiron fired 19 shots at goal but only eight hit the target, so he probably needs to work on improving that ratio in order to be able to hit the back of the net frequently (Source: Premier League). However, Almiron is clearly capable of being a formidable force in front of goal, based on his last season with Atlanta. The 25-year-old scored 13 goals, while racking up 13 assists, in the 38 appearances he made for the MLS side in his last campaign for them, and if he could replicate those numbers at St James Park, then the Magpies will be better for it.

Share this article