OPINION
Miguel Almiron’s arrival could well have heralded the end of Ayoze Perez’s Newcastle United career, but the Spaniard could still have a vital role to play for the Magpies.
The 25-year-old is presumably going to demoted from his usual role in behind Salomon Rondon when the Paraguayan makes his bow in black and white, but it doesn’t have to spell the end of his importance for Rafa Benitez’s side.
The forward is a favourite of his manager’s and it’s hard to see how he will be completely frozen out of the starting lineup.
Obviously Benitez will require cover for Almiron, but a more realistic solution is for Perez to adapt his game to accommodate his new colleague.
The Magpies have looked particularly poor in wide areas this season, with Kenedy, Christian Atsu, and Jacob Murphy all underperforming massively for large parts of the campaign.
On the face of it Perez has all the attributes needed to be a really effective wide man. He is pacy, tricky, and capable of delivering a fine cross, and could be the answer to Benitez’s problems.
Perez has played on the wing before, but with Almiron likely to occupy a central role, he could really make a place on the flank on his own.
The alternative is that Benitez begins to operate a 4-3-3 formation with Almiron acting as one of the supporting attackers behind Rondon, and if that is the case, then Perez must act quickly to convince his manager that he is the other man to spearhead the Toon Army’s push for survival.