Miguel Almiron hasn't adapted to life at Newcastle United or the Premier League.
That is the verdict of former England and Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland who feels the Paraguayan international has 'struggled' on Tyneside.
Almiron joined Newcastle for a club record fee from MLS outfit Atlanta United in January 2019 and although he impressed both Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce with his work-rate, energy and pace in transition, he struggled in front of goal.
The 26-year-old scored 22 goals and 21 assists in 70 appearances in the USA but had to wait until December 2019 to score his first Magpies goal.
He ended last season as the club's top scorer in all competitions but struggled for game-time at the start of this season.
Almiron has been used as a winger, as well as his favoured number 10 role, and has since been utilised in a central midfield role in Steve Bruce's preferred 5-3-2 formation.
Having impressed against Wolves and Everton, the former Lanus midfielder was at fault for the first goal in Friday's 2-0 defeat to Southampton and it has prompted former Premier League goalkeeper, Kirkland, to make a damning assessment of his time on Tyneside.
“Well he’s struggled. He hasn’t adapted, has he?" Kirkland told Football Fancast.
"It’s a risk when you’re buying players from abroad.
"It is a big risk because they can be very good players but moving abroad, moving away from your family, bringing your family over, the different language, all of it has a massive effect.”
Almiron will now join up with the Paraguay national team for their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia.
