Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny claims that it would be 'huge' for Newcastle United if Miguel Almiron were to reach double figures for goals this season.
The Lowdown: Goal of the season?
Almiron, who has been 'disrespected' in the words of some media members, scored a wonderful brace in the St. James' Park outfit's 4-1 win away at Fulham over the weekend, with his first goal, a volley from an acute angle, dubbed a potential Goal of the Season (GOTS) contender on BBC's Match of the Day by Tyneside legend Alan Shearer.
Speaking to the media after the game, Eddie Howe described the Paraguay international as a player who can do ‘magical things‘, and he is really starting to show that with goals like the one at Craven Cottage.
The Latest: Kenny on Almiron goal
Speaking to Football Insider, Kenny, 44, gave his reaction to Almiron's goal, calling it 'amazing', and claimed that it would be 'huge' for the North East club if he could reach double figures between now and the end of the season:
“Amazing goal, two more for him. 10 goals in a season can be worth a couple of places at the end of the year.
“Almiron scored a load of goals in pre-season, I remember talking about it. So many players have gone to another level under Eddie Howe and we were thinking Almiron would be the next one.
“Maybe it doesn’t look like he has improved that much but he scored once last season. I think he went 30-odd games without scoring.
“Now he has three in eight this year. With the confidence it looks like he has, there is no reason he can’t get 10 or more goals this season.
“That would be huge for Newcastle because Wilson will get double figures if he is fit, you think Isak will too.
“So to have another player up there, more goals, more wins. It’s what you need when you are a team who wants to be where Newcastle want to be.
“Everyone needs to be contributing in a big way.”
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The Verdict: On course
Even though Almiron has never reached double figures in terms of goals in a season since he moved to the Magpies, he is well on course to this term, with three in his opening eight matches in the top flight (Transfermarkt).
Given Callum Wilson's injury problems, and the fact that attackers Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin have also picked up injuries in recent weeks, the likes of Almiron need to step up with their goal output while others are not on the pitch.
Nonetheless, the 28-year-old has been a revelation so far this campaign, and goals like his opening one against Fulham should give him the confidence to score more in the next set of fixtures.