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Bruce raves about ‘incredible’ Almiron

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Miguel Almiron might not have scored a goal or registered an assist for Newcastle United since joining the Magpies in January – but that has not stopped the Paraguayan attacker from impressing manager Steve Bruce.

Almiron, 25, may not be having a direct impact on the scoresheet but the ex-Atlanta star is still showcasing some of his best form in the Premier League as of late.

Ahead of Monday’s clash against Aston Villa, Bruce has waxed lyrical about Almiron’s work-rate and suggested that it might only be a mater of time before he sticks one in the back of the net.

“I’ve never seen anyone in 20 years cover the distance or play with the intensity that he does. His running stats are incredible – as big as I’ve seen for any player. He’s multi-talented, I’m confident it’ll happen for him,” said Bruce, as quoted by Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie via his personal Twitter account on Thursday morning.

OPINION

There’s an obsession with goal and assist stats among football fans at the minute and people harp on about them as though they are the only things that matter for attacking players. Of course they matter slightly and it is frustrating that Almiron is yet to achieve either of those things in the black and white stripes of Newcastle. However the Paraguay international offers so much more and you have to agree with Bruce that it only seems to be a matter of time that the attacker will break his duck. Almiron creates space for others, he moves the ball quickly up the pitch with his pace, he tracks back and is just a general nuisance for defenders to deal with. There are going to be concerns about his lack of goals and his passing ability, but do Newcastle have a better option than him right now? It is an area that Bruce needs to address in January because playing out wide on the right is not Almiron’s natural position. He prefers to play in the middle, in behind a striker. But for now, he’s doing a decent enough job.

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