Miguel Almiron sums up what's wrong with Newcastle United

Almiron, a popular figure on Tyneside, touched on his future at Newcastle United – and one particular comment was labelled as “alarming”.

"I'd like to play on the team that’s fighting for more,” Almiron told ABC Cardinal.

Almiron, spared a gruelling trip to South America following CONMEBOL’s decision to postpone this month’s World Cup qualifiers due to the coronavirus pandemic, also spoke about the relegation-threatened club’s position near the foot of the Premier League.

“It's a difficult moment for us,” said the 27-year-old. “We need to be together and calm – and to help the team to stay in the Premier League."

Almiron came to the fore at Newcastle following Graeme Jones’s arrival as assistant to Steve Bruce in late January – and the midfielder, used as a No.10, made a timely return from injury last weekend.

The Paraguay international was one of the few players to put in the yards at the Amex Stadium, where United suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat. There are many, many more hard yards ahead for Almiron and his team-mates, with 17th-placed Newcastle just two points above the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Almiron’s form has been up and down this season – he hasn’t always been used in his favoured position – but his workrate has been constant. United need more like him, though fans will be worried that the club will lose him in the summer

However, Almiron’s comment this week shouldn’t be seen as alarming – as EVERY Newcastle player should want to fight for more.

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