“There were two secrets… number one, Riyad, taking him off the pitch, as soon as possible. He played like Almiron yesterday…”
That was Jack Grealish's controversial verdict when he was asked for the secrets behind Manchester City's latest title triumph back in May. A dramatic 3-2 win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season was enough to seal City's fourth Premier League crown in five years; but for Grealish, who joined the champions in a British record £100million deal the previous summer and was experiencing a title win for the first time, it was extra special.
He did, in some ways, endear himself with his wild celebrations after the match, but his classless comment comparing Riyad Mahrez to Newcastle's Miguel Almiron left a bad taste. Perhaps fittingly, it is a jibe has not aged particularly well for the Manchester City man over the past six months.
To put it bluntly, Almiron is thriving while Grealish flounders: on the same weekend that Grealish failed to make the most of his first Premier League start in over a month, Almiron bagged the winning goal for Newcastle in a statement win at Tottenham. The Magpies man has struggled to live up to expectations on Tyneside since joining the club from the United States back in 2019, but Almiron is currently enjoying a remarkable career renaissance.
The 28-year-old's match-winning strike against Spurs on Sunday was his sixth goal in just 12 games. That means Almiron is already enjoying his most productive season in a Newcastle shirt - prior to the 2022/23 campaign, his previous high stood at just four goals. In fact, Almiron has plundered 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.
But Almiron's impact on Newcastle right now transcends just goals. Along with Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier, Almiron has been one of the figureheads of the Magpies stunning start to the season. The former Atlanta United winger has been in electrifying from and has stepped up in the absence of club talisman Allan Saint-Maximin.
While Grealish's ill-judged jibe may appear to be the catalyst behind Almiron's recent form, Eddie Howe insisted earlier this month that the winger's motivation has not changed. The Magpies chief instead lauded Almiron's new-found confidence levels.
Join the debate! Who would you rather have in your team at the moment - Almiron or Grealish? Let us know here.
“For me, he’s given me everything from day one," Howe said after the recent win over Everton. "Very committed to the team. He’s a real team player and he’s getting the recognition that he deserves. You can’t under-estimate the quality of the goals that he’s delivered for us.
“I don’t think I’ve noticed a difference in his character. 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. What I have noticed is a real confidence in his training, in his technical delivery of what we’re asking him to do – I think that’s definitely gone up a level.”
While confidence is coursing through Almiron's veins, Grealish has played like somebody completely devoid of belief. The former Aston Villa man has started just four of City's league games this term and has only completed the full 90 minutes once for Pep Guardiola's side. Notably, he wasn't called upon in their biggest game of the season so far, the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
He's failed to make much of an impact when he has been on the pitch, either. Grealish has provided just the one goal contribution for City this term; a solitary goal in the 3-0 win over Wolves last month.
Ironically, Almiron will understand the scrutiny Grealish is currently receiving better than most. Before Newcastle became the wealthiest club in the world, Almiron was the club's record signing after costing £21m. Just like Grealish, he struggled to justify his inflated price tag.
But that is no longer an issue for Almiron, who has gone from a figure of ridicule to the standard bearer in the new and improved Newcastle United. The same cannot be said for Grealish, who is in danger of becoming one of football's most expensive mistakes.
Perhaps it's time the Manchester City man follow his own advice and starts to play a bit more "like Almiron".
