“Almiron is the best player on the planet, then Longstaff is a close second.”
Newcastle fans waited long enough for Mike Ashley to finally put his hands in his pockets and break the club’s transfer record. 13 and a half years, to be exact. Thankfully, with the arrival of £20m Miguel Almiron finally eclipsing the £16m they paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005, the early signs are they’ve unearthed a diamond.
Almiron, who arrived from Major League Soccer champions Atlanta United in January, was named the man of the match in their 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon, his full debut.
The Paraguayan came close to scoring on numerous occasions and also laid on six chances for teammates – as much as any Newcastle player has managed in a single game since their return to the Premier League at the start of last season.
The 25-year-old was eventually replaced by Christian Atsu with ten minutes remaining, the Newcastle support giving him a standing ovation as he made his way off the field.
This, along with the reaction on social media, was a measure of the impression he has made on the club’s fanbase in his relatively short time on Tyneside.
Not getting ahead of myself here by any means, but Miggy Almiron is the best player ave ever seen #nufc
— Andrew Hully (@Hulleebowyer) February 23, 2019
Almiron best player on the planet, then longstaff in a close second
— Liam (@liamcoates_) February 23, 2019
https://twitter.com/1892Gav/status/1099363837122367490
Almiron is the best player to pull on that Newcastle United shirt in a long long time. His pace is something else.
— Gem🧣 (@gems_endgame) February 23, 2019
No words for Almiron today. Just one coming to mind…brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant.
— Macca (@MaccaNUFC) February 23, 2019
Newcastle’s goals both came in the second-half. Salomon Rondon scored the first shortly after half-time, with Ayoze Perez doubling their lead soon after.
Huddersfield were fortunate to go in at the break with the scores goalless. Having had Tommy Smith sent off for a dangerous tackle on Almiron after 20 minutes, the visitors were on the back foot for the majority of the game.
