Jack Grealish cited after ‘absolutely unbelievable’ Newcastle player transformation – pundit
Jack Grealish’s comments about Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron have helped him to transform his career.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Paraguayan’s form.
Almiron, 28, scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season as Newcastle beat Everton 1-0 on Wednesday (19 October).
The Paraguay international was mocked by Man City midfielder Jack Grealish at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
As quoted by JOE (24 May), Grealish criticised his teammate Riyad Mahrez for his performance against Aston Villa (22 May) and said “he played like Almiron.”
McManus claims these comments have spurred Almiron on.
“Brilliant, I remember watching him when he played in America with Atlanta United,” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“He was the absolute standout and I always thought someone in England would buy him. Newcastle bought him and it took a while for him to settle in but he has real quality.
“He has that pace to get in behind and he has been integral to Newcastle this season, there seems to be a real steel about Newcastle.
“It’s ever since those comments Jack Grealish made about Almiron, maybe that spurred him on. That can happen to a player.
“But Almiron, in any case, has been absolutely unbelievable for Newcastle so far this season and hopefully it continues.”
Almiron has now recorded his best-ever Premier League goal tally for a single season.
He has scored 19 goals in 134 games for Newcastle United.
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