Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (21/11/20 at 12:15 pm) that Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron cannot play as a number 10.
Newcastle have been lacking that bite and intent in their play under Steve Bruce and they need someone who can create that magic for them.
A lot of fans will point towards the tactics, whilst others will feel the best can be brought out of the players if they are tried in different positions.
Merson shared that Almiron is a player who is going to play ‘on the shoulder’ and not someone who will pass the ball forward ‘through the eye of the needle’.
“I don’t see him as a number 10,” said Merson. “You play number 10, I would expect people to be able to put the ball through the eye of the needle.
“See something in the game where when you watch Kevin de Bruyne, you sit and watch him and think ‘where has that pass come from?’ That’s a number 10. He is going to make something happen.
“I see Almiron as someone who plays upfront, on the shoulder as a Jamie Vardy and uses his pace because he is quick. And he’s not a bad finisher either. He’s the one who has to play on the shoulder. Steve has got to go, big man, little man upfront and take a chance.”
It was another lacklustre performance from Newcastle over the weekend as they suffered a deserved defeat to Chelsea.
Given the amount of money Frank Lampard has spent and where they are challenging in the table, the Newcastle fan can accept losing because of the difference in quality and expenditure.
But it’s the manner in which they are losing which is infuriating the supporters because there doesn’t seem to be any desire, attacking intent or willingness to play forward from the team.
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