What Rafa Benitez said about Miguel Almiron in 2019 is very interesting as Newcastle United exit nears

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Miguel Almiron’s Newcastle United career is set to come to an end during the January transfer window.

The 30-year-old is on course to leave Newcastle United, with Miguel Almiron attracting interest from the MLS.

A fee for Almiron has been agreed, as Atlanta United prepare to re-sign the winger. Newcastle now expect to sell Almiron, despite some fears that he was not convinced about a move away.

However, the time is right. His influence in black and white has waned, with Eddie Howe no longer relying on Miggy. Newcastle do not need Almiron anymore, while he could benefit from a fresh start.

What Rafa Benitez said when Newcastle United signed Miguel Almiron

This looming move away from St James’ Park comes six years after he arrived.

Rafa Benitez brought him to the club in 2019, with Newcastle United paying £21million. At the time, that was a club record fee.

Almiron felt like a game-changing signing for Benitez’s side, and he certainly was impressive immediately after his arrival.

However, what Benitez told Newcastle’s official website about Almiron immediately after he joined the club is now very interesting as his Toon career gets set to come to an end.

“We were following Miguel Almiron for a while, and we saw a player with some pace in attack, who can play behind the striker,” Benitez said.

“We have someone who can score goals and give assists.”

How many goals and assists Miguel Almiron got for Newcastle United

Benitez saw Almiron as someone who could play behind the striker. However, that did not often happen.

During the second half of the 2018/19 season, Almiron played on the left of attack, with Salomon Rondon through the middle and Ayoze Perez on the right. It was a front three that really worked.

Then Steve Bruce arrived, and he opted to play Almiron on the right. There was also the odd occasion that he played as an attacking midfielder, but he was primarily out wide.

And under Eddie Howe, Almiron has played the best football of his Newcastle United career on the right. That purple patch in the 2022/23 season was incredible.

No matter who the manager was, there was always plenty of endeavour from Almiron. His infectious work rate impressed the Toon Army, who always wanted to see him succeed in black and white.

However, Benitez’s prediction of goals and assists was a bit wide of the mark.

In total, Almiron has played 223 times for Newcastle United. He has scored 30 goals and provided 12 assists.

In comparison, Anthony Gordon has got 21 goals and 17 assists from 92 appearances.

How Almiron became important to Newcastle United

Benitez did not work with Almiron for long enough, while Bruce struggled to get a tune out of him.

However, Eddie Howe found a place for Almiron, despite the attacker not being a consistent source of goals and assists.

His defensive work and pressing ability made him important to Howe’s Newcastle, at a time when the Magpies were becoming a team that no one wanted to face due to their intensity.

In September 2023, after Newcastle beat Burnley at home, Howe told the Chronicle exactly why Almiron was so important to his philosophy.

“He’s a unique footballer,” Howe said.

“I don’t think there’s anyone better at doing what he does – all energy, all action. I’d like to see his physical stats today because I’m sure they’d be through the roof.”

But as Newcastle United evolve, they need more than just work rate. While that is still absolutely pivotal, Newcastle United need more difference-makers in the final third.

However, that should not diminish the work that Almiron has put in during his six years at St James’ Park. He has been a player who you want to get behind, and every Newcastle United fan will wish him well as he prepares to depart.