REMEMBER when a tanked-up Jack Grealish (£4.2m) took a swipe at Miguel Almiron (£1.8m) during Manchester City’s league title celebrations?
The England international used the Newcastle winger as a point of reference for a poor performance when gently ribbing Riyad Mahrez (£4.8m) during his slurred commentary of the open-top bus parade.
Well, life comes at you fast.
At this stage of the 2022/23 season, Grealish has one goal to his name compared to the hard-working Paraguayan’s tally of four.
Almiron has been a key figure in two comprehensive victories for the Magpies this month – he scored a brace in a 4-1 win against Fulham in Game Week 8 and bagged on Saturday as Eddie Howe’s side thrashed Brentford 5-1.
This prosperous spell has made the 28-year-old the best value-for-money midfielder Dream Team has to offer.
Currently available for just £1.8m, Almiron is the 14th-best asset in his position having earned 34 points.
That may may sound underwhelming to some so let’s frame it another way – he’s just eight points behind James Maddison (£5.2m) who is the fourth-best midfielder right now.
When it comes to healthy returns for little investment, Almiron is the standout asset in his position.
It’s fair to say his points have come as a surprise considering he registered one goal and no assists in 30 Premier League appearances last season.
In fact, 2022/23 is already Almiron’s joint-best ever campaign in terms of league goals on English soil.
Just 2.1% of Dream Team bosses are currently backing Newcastle’s No24 but should more people hop aboard the bandwagon?
Truthfully, it’s hard to say as history suggests Almiron is not a viable long-term Dream Team asset but it would be remiss to ignore the fact Newcastle are on the rise – they’re up to sixth after two big wins.
Howe’s men face Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa before the end of the month and given two of those teams are currently above them in the table it’s hardly a favourable run.
Still, any gaffer in need of a bargain midfielder simply has to consider Almiron because of what he’s achieved so far this campaign.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
