“There were two secrets… number one, Riyad, taking him off the pitch, as soon as possible. He played like Almiron yesterday…” said Jack Grealish on May 23rd 2022, a day after a title-winning victory against Aston Villa (3-2) as he celebrated the Premier League trophy with Bernardo Silva. The video became viral, earning many likes from the blue part of Manchester, while the North East of England and the great Toon Army were furious. Of course, Newcastle fans knew back then that Miguel Almiron, their offensive midfielder was not as good as he was paid (24 million euros in 2019), but still didn’t like the mockery from a former Aston Villa player. But Grealish was soon going to ‘eat his words as a part-time English international (paid 120 million euros) is completely out of form. Unlike Almiron. Premier League goals since Jack Grealish said this:Miguel Almiron: 6 ⚽Jack Grealish: 1 ⚽ pic.twitter.com/lgJPVofafr— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 23, 2022 The Paraguayan arrived from USA’s Atalanta United as the most expensive United signing (until Joelington arrived six months year) and lived long with that burden (just like Joelington six months later) but his displays were not so great. Even thou he was a direct wish of Rafa Benitez, the Spaniard didn’t know how to use him properly, as well as his successor Steve Bruce. The Paraguayan had the will and the work ethic but was often labelled as the ’headless chicken’ who was just running around the field without proper use. In a bad Newcastle team, he couldn’t do anything by himself and the displays were bad, and he was even benched. It took some time before Eddie Howe found his real purpose as a right forward in his 4-3-3 tactics. But at first, he was a substitute, as the new Magpies boss favoured his former Bournemouth winger Ryan Frazer and occasional substitute Jacob Murphy. Toon is for real: Lloris’ blunder and Almiron’s solo effort enough for the win against SpursIn fact, if Newcastle managed to pull off Moussa Diaby’s transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, Almiron would be either a substitute or a former Newcastle player. The Frenchman was already seen as a perfect right forward, opposite his countrymen Allan Saint-Maximin, but the deal proved to be too expensive, so the season started with Almiron on the wing and boy, did he explode…unlike Grealish. Miguel Almiron since Jack Grealish’s comments pic.twitter.com/ipEm1KDq6w— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) October 23, 2022 According to his fantastic price of 115 million euros, the most expensive British footballer ever is the biggest flop ever, at least until now, but looking at his appearance in a City shirt, or at least a lack of it, he will remain one for the unforeseeable future. Since mocking Almiron, the former Aston Villa star has gathered up only four starts in the Premier League and only had one 90 minutes game so far. He wasn’t even introduced in their biggest game of the season against Liverpool at Anfield. To add more salt to the wound, Almiron scored more league goals this month (six) than Grealish has managed in total (four) since his mega-money move to the Etihad in the summer of 2021.Grealish, Walker and Mahrez caught on their night out; Guardiola: “They will be fined for not inviting me”Magpies boss Eddie Howe had nothing but good things to say about his player. “For me, he’s given me everything from day one. He’s a real team player and he’s getting the recognition that he deserves. You can’t underestimate the quality of the goals that he’s delivered for us. He’s been very consistent – that’s a strength – he’s been very happy every day, very pleased to be part of the team, has very close friends within the squad” said Howe after Almiron’s game-winning goal against Everton. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6746806##And after another great performance (and a goal) against Tottenham on Sunday, former Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher had this to say about the Paraguayan. “This fella is a different player and the man that’s motivated it is not just Eddie Howe, it’s Jack Grealish”.
