Like everyone involved with Newcastle, Jonjo Shelvey will have watched Miguel Almiron’s home debut with glee.
The Paraguayan was incredible against Huddersfield, giving Newcastle a creative edge that has been missing for a long time.
Almiron was involved in everything good about the Magpies. The only thing that was missing was a goal. And it wasn’t for lack of trying.
The 25-year-old had multiple efforts at goal, but couldn’t find a way past Jonas Lossl. And when he did, he struck the post.
Almiron also made multiple encouraging runs that weren’t picked out. However, there is one Newcastle player who would’ve found him.
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Shelvey and Almiron can work together
Multiple times last season, we saw Shelvey get his head up and find Dwight Gayle running in behind. It caused opposition defences a whole host of issues, but we haven’t had that threat this season.
Almiron showed on Saturday that he can be that runner. He was always looking to get in behind, attempting to stretch the Huddersfield defence.
Had Shelvey played, we might have scored more than two.
The England international is just returning from injury, and has a real job on his hands to get back into the team. As things stand, he’s probably the fifth choice centre midfielder.
If Shelvey can find a way back into Rafa Benitez’s side, then he can take confidence in the fact that he has a ready-made partnership with Almiron.