'Almiron is the best player on the planet, then Longstaff is a close second'
Newcastle fans waited long enough for Mike Ashley to finally put his hands in his pockets and break the club's transfer record. 13 and a half years, to be exact.
Thankfully, with the arrival of
£20m Miguel Almiron finally eclipsing the £16m they paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005, the early signs are they've unearthed a diamond.
Almiron, who arrived from Major League Soccer champions Atlanta United in January, was named man of the match in their 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon, his full debut.
The Paraguayan came close to scoring on numerous occasions and also laid on six chances for teammates - as much as any Newcastle player has managed in a single game since their return to the Premier League at the start of last season.
The 25-year-old was eventually replaced by Christian Atsu with ten minutes remaining, the Newcastle support giving him a standing ovation as he made his way off the field.
This, along with the reaction on social media, was a measure of the impression he has made on the club's fanbase in his relatively short time on Tyneside.
https://twitter.com/Hulleebowyer/status/1099365674697351168
https://twitter.com/liamcoates_/status/1099335837291028482
https://twitter.com/1892Gav/status/1099363837122367490
https://twitter.com/gems_endgame/status/1099335407760744448
https://twitter.com/James_NUFC1892/status/1099351205980057604
Newcastle's goals both came in the second-half. Salomon Rondon scored the first shortly after half-time, with Ayoze Perez doubling their lead soon after.
Huddersfield were fortunate to go in at the break with the scores goalless. Having had Tommy Smith sent off for a dangerous tackle on Almiron after 20 minutes, the visitors were on the back foot for the majority of the game.
