Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has criticised Magpies winger Miguel Almiron for his performance against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
The 25-year-old failed to get on the scoresheet yet again at St James’ Park, meaning that his wait for a goal for the club goes on, and Shearer is getting worried by the Paraguayan’s form.
“Almiron, first one [big chance] – no confidence whatsoever,” he said on Match of the Day [21/09; 66:45]. “Never fancied him to score. Desperately needs a goal, still hasn’t scored.”
OPINION
Shearer is absolutely spot on, here. Almiron is suffering from a severe lack of confidence, and we’re seeing that in his play. It’s a similar situation to Fernando Torres after his move to Chelsea. The Spaniard really couldn’t get going and it took him a long time to open his account for the Blues. Torres was a striker and signed for £50million rather than £20million-odd, so it’s not apples for apples. However, the lack of confidence and belief in front of goal is similar. It’s clear that Almiron is desperate to score. He was a fairly regular goalscorer from a midfield position for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer, and he’ll be frustrated that that hasn’t materialised in England. As Shearer says, no one fancied the Paraguayan to open the scoring with his big chance on Saturday. He’d made a nice little run and he got a decent connection on the ball, but he put it straight at the ‘keeper. He really needs a goal and it’s becoming a desperate situation now.
