‘Massively improved’… Gary Lineker says two Newcastle players have actually got so much better

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Newcastle United are absolutely flying at the moment despite an injury crisis.

Newcastle’s win over Manchester United on Saturday was the latest big result Eddie Howe has coaxed out of a team beset by injuries.

The same eleven who almost secured a famous win over Paris Saint-Germain were forced to get back on the horse again only days later but stepped up to record another statement victory.

So many players are stepping up. For all the talk of the signings PIF’s millions have bought the club, Howe continues to yield vast improvements out of those he inherited from Steve Bruce.

Two of whom Gary Lineker paid special mention to.

Newcastle: Gary Lineker names the two players who are so much better now

Indeed, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast on Monday morning, Lineker hailed Joelinton and Miguel Almiron.

“Look at Joelinton and [Miguel] Almiron, in particular those two have massively improved,” he said.

Joelinton and Miguel Almiron: £61m now looks cheap for Newcastle

During the first few months of their respective Newcastle careers, the £40m spent on Joelinton and the £21m spent on Almiron looked massively overpriced.

Still, thanks to Howe’s coaching work, the combined £61m looks a bargain.

Joelinton has been hailed as a “machine” for the club and is equally capable of playing on the left wing as he is in central midfield. Almiron, meanwhile, embarked on a stunning goal scoring run last season and thrilled against PSG in the Champions League.

Quite where they’d be if Howe hadn’t have come in is unclear. It is doubtful, however, they’d be performing at this kind of level.

They aren’t the only players Howe has improved of course but are perhaps two of the finest examples. Thanks to them, Newcastle have been able to strengthen in other areas.

This team just gets better and better.