Miguel Almiron Must Learn To Stop Diving After Red Card For Paraguay

When it comes to Miguel Almiron at Newcastle United, everybody is frustrated, and nobody feels it more than him. In the first half of the Magpies’ 1-0 victory over Manchester United, before Matty Longstaff stole the headlines, Almiron had a chance to write his own. Still looking for his first Newcastle goal, he went through one-on-one against David De Gea after springing the offside trap and expertly controlling a lofted through ball to set himself; but his lack of confidence got the better of him, and an extra touch allowed Harry Maguire to get back and make the block. The resulting groan from the crowd didn’t suggest they felt Almiron was simply unlucky, there was an added layer of frustration and exasperation; after the break, though, came the real reason to criticise the Paraguayan international.

For the second time this season, Almiron was booked for simulation. He had previously been shown a yellow card in the defeat at home to Arsenal back in August, but this one was even more annoying because he opted to go down in order to win a free kick after his trademark blend of skill and endeavour had opened up an opportunity on the counter attack.

St James’ Park’s reaction to the missed opportunity in the first half was not specifically because he had failed to score it, rather the fact it meant the agonising wait for his first goal goes on, and the pressure and desperation increases by the week. Analysing the chance itself, and his overall performance once again, makes it clear there is nothing to worry about. His energy makes things happen generally, he picked the original pass in the build up to Longstaff’s winner, and in the case of that miss, he did everything right except avoid a hesitation so intrinsically linked to a lack of confidence. Once one goal comes and the weight is lifted, he should offer much more in terms of statistics, provided he is utilised correctly. But he needs to learn the impact of simulation and how that is more damaging than any run without a goal, no matter how long, will ever be.

If he wasn’t fully aware already, then being sent off for Paraguay in a friendly defeat against Serbia on Thursday evening should have made him realise. Perception will begin to change now; it may have already. Anyone can forgive one booking, or a second if it gets lost in the midst of a wider, much more positive narrative. But Almiron was front and centre in Krusevac; his red card was a turning point in the match before former Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic grabbed a 90th minute winner. The fact he isn’t being deterred, and felt it was worth the risk of going down easily while already on a yellow, shows he still has a way to go with this particular issue. It was only a friendly, of course, and the consequences of the incident will not run too deep, but a rather troubling pattern is developing.

Alongside Allan Saint-Maximin, he is Newcastle’s chief creative threat; looking beyond the monkey on his back shows that is obvious. So many other flair players have shone on Tyneside, lighting up games with pieces of magic, but they have often been criticised for not working hard enough. There aren’t many players at Newcastle who match his work-rate anywhere on the pitch, and glimpses of the impact he can make suggest there is a real player in there, someone who, alongside Saint-Maximin, can offer Newcastle and Steve Bruce a new dimension going forward. But all that could be compromised if he continues to con referees; the only thing he’ll gain from that is a reputation which, looking at other players who have been known to do this, can go ahead of him in the minds of the authorities.

In just 23 games over four years for Paraguay, the 25-year-old has been sent off twice and both times have been in the last seven months. A horror tackle in March against Mexico showed he has some bite to his game, a trait that should be applauded, but only if channelled in the right way. The best players are aggressive and allow their competitive edge to drive them, but potentially harmful tackles and simulation are not the way to do that. Almiron appears the opposite of a player who would commit these footballing crimes; he is charming and very well-liked at Newcastle’s Benton training ground and by the majority of supporters, who appreciate his continued efforts despite the well documented struggles. In the case of diving in particular, though, he isn’t getting away with it; he has been punished at every turn and yet continues to do it, and that is a problem. It is hoped that being sent off will cause him to rethink his actions.

Hypocrisy is rife in football; players, managers and supporters will only complain about something if it goes against them. There will be those who like that Almiron plays on the edge like this, but in reality it is a trait that can cause more harm than good in its current guise. He needs to stop diving; even from his point of view, it hasn’t yielded an advantage, while he hasn’t escaped punishment. He is often targeted by opponents, so will need all the protection he can get; naturally, if he is known to attempt simulation, referees won’t look upon him with as much favour as they should.

Miguel Almiron brings so much to the party for both Newcastle and Paraguay. He shouldn’t be criticised for not scoring yet, because he is so effective in so many other ways. But diving is a completely different matter; he needs to understand his approach is wrong and change it.