Former Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez feels confidence is the key factor in explaining Miguel Almiron's stunning form this season. The Paraguay forward is the Magpies' top scorer this season, having netted 10 goals in the Premier League so far.
It is a remarkable turnaround for Almiron, with the former club-record signing previously a bench option for much of last season under Eddie Howe. The 29-year-old's future was the subject of speculation last summer, but his form this term has unsurprisingly led to a new contract for the ex-MLS star.
Benitez was in the St James' Park hotseat when Almiron arrived on Tyneside in February 2019, and admits there were always questions over whether the Atlanta United star could make the step up in black-and-white. However, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager is adamant the attacker always had the 'assets' he is now showing.
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He told BT Sport: "To be fair I think when we signed him he was scoring goals, but people talk about that is the Premier League. Now that he has confidence, what he was doing from day one was running - he has a lot of energy.
"He can be running the whole game with pace, it is not easy, and he can make the difference because now he has more confidence. Because he’s left-footed he can go inside and he can do overlaps, he has a lot of assets, so he is doing really well."
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