MLS: Miguel Almiron in the Premier League a fascinating barometer

Miguel Almiron will ply his trade in the Premier League with Newcastle United. How he fares will be a fascinating barometer of MLS play.

One of my friends is a Newcastle United fan. He knows that I follow Major League Soccer and run this website, so when Newcastle broke their club transfer record for the first time since Michael Owen, more than a decade ago, on an MLS player, he immediately wanted the full rundown.

I told him to be excited. Miguel Almiron, I said, has been the best player in MLS for the past two seasons, has the natural attacking qualities that Newcastle require, and could flourish in the Premier League.

But then I said it is extremely difficult to forecast properly for how he will fare in England. Just because he has been ripping MLS defences to shreds does not mean he will do the same in the Premier League.

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There is a gap in quality between the two leagues, especially defensively, but it is extremely difficult to get a handle on how big the disparity actually is. Almiron was asked about how he believes he will fare in England this week. This is what he had to say:

"“I think for some time now the MLS has been improving. Every year you see more and more quality players come in. I think it’s a good sign and a positive thing for that league. There are big differences between the two leagues… and [the Premier League] is a tougher league to play in. But I think with the help of my teammates in training and the manager, it’s something I think I’ll cope with, and they’ll help me along the way.”"

The reason why I found it so difficult to provide my friend with an accurate report and prediction for how Almiron may fare at St James’ Park was that I could not gauge how big a step up it would be from MLS to the Premier League.

On one hand, you have the best player from a league who has scored and assisted 41 goals in just two seasons, a sensational return from a sensational player. But on the other, this is the very same competition that Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a buggered ACL came and dominated, that a nearly retired Wayne Rooney waltzed past, that a Carlos Vela who fell short in England stood head and shoulders above.

I have no idea how Almiron will fare at Newcastle. I have an inkling that he will do well there, but it would not surprise me if he completely busts and finds the Premier League far above his level. Anything could transpire. But how he does cope with English football will be a fascinating barometer for the quality of MLS. MLS is a rather isolated global league. Rarely do you get case studies which allow you to compare it to other leagues around the world — the European players that do come are usually way past their primes.

So Almiron’s fate in England will be exceptionally interesting. Is MLS really just a retirement league or does it have more quality than many believe? Almiron and his time at Newcastle will help us all answer that question.