Miguel Almiron and Sean Longstaff - What happens next?

While a 2-0 defeat to Yokohama did not require an overreaction, poor displays from Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron fuelled more debate around their situations at the club.

The 24/25 season is earmarked to get Newcastle United back amongst Europe’s elite. In order to do that the club must do two things; improve the quality across the depth of the squad and reduce the number of minutes lost to injury.

In the appointment of James Bunce as performance director, available minutes will be under the microscope across all squad members. Which means the club need to actively make progress to improve the depth of quality.

Improving the squad of course, means moving players on which leads us to who needs to go. Almiron has shown poor form generally (despite effort) apart from his memorable purple patch. His effort in games and ability to close down and be active in the press is undeniable. However, moving to the next level requires more than effort. It means being able to use more than one foot on most occasions, being able to mix play up and not repeating cutting inside continuously.

Additionally (if we sign a right winger) Howe has options. Jacob Murphy has proven his worth in the squad and regularly puts in solid performance as well as being a popular figure in the dressing room. It looks increasingly likely that Kieran Trippier will stay this window so a formation change to wing backs with Trippier or Livramento providing quality in forward posts, in instances where a new winger or Murphy is not available. With a value of around £15m, the sale of Almiron would either cover money already spent this window or can be amortised to around £75m over five years. Almiron seems like a sensible sale, whether the player relinquishes his position of being happy and wanting to stay remains to be seen. Interest from Saudi Arabia doesn’t seem to be going away, and a deal could be easily agreed between clubs.

Sean Longstaff seems more likely to stay, despite the fact he's out of contract next summer and at risk of leaving on a free at the end of the 2024/25 season. Heavily relied upon last season due to injury, despite his short comings Longstaff has been an important part of what Newcastle have done across the last couple of seasons. Those short comings can be significant, games at time pass Sean by and a lack of quality in the final third is a common criticism. However, his involvement in the side does not look to be likely to end any time soon with Lewis Miley’s injury, Sandro Tonali’s gradual reintroduction to the side (when his an ends later this month) and Joe Willock’s preference to play down the left meaning Longstaff will almost certainly start the season at RCM and stay for at least for another season.

His position, however, should absolutely be transitioned to a rotational squad player, allowing for Tonali and Miley to take priority in selection. Behind the scenes, Longstaff’s case is stronger than Almiron as a popular figure in the dressing room and being local has its advantages especially initiating new faces into the club. Additionally, there are the likely suitors for him, there has been little to no interest or enquiries into acquiring him which means we need to utilise him the best way possible.

Sales of both players should seriously be considered, but it should be Almiron who sees the exit door in a more realistic approach. With Longstaff still having a role in this Newcastle squad, at least for another season.