Newcastle United star Miguel Álmiron has insisted the pressure on them to qualify for the Champions League pales in comparison to that felt in recent years as they battle relegation.
The midfielder has been speaking to La Nación journalist Christian Martín about his time in England so far Newcastle’s superb campaign this year.
After avoiding relegation last season, the Magpies have gone from strength to strength under Eddie Howe this year after a strong summer transfer window.
They currently sit third in the table with 65 points from 33 games, two points clear of Manchester United in fourth and six away from Liverpool in sixth.
It means they are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League next season, with only an unthinkable collapse likely to stop them achieving that goal.
After such a superb season to date the pressure is very much on them to secure a top four finish and continue the club’s rapid growth since being taken over by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Álmiron arrived at the club in 2019 in a period where heights such as the ones they are now enjoying seemed unthinkable, and he insists the pressure felt then means the current journey is nothing but enjoyable for him and his Newcastle teammates.
“I think the pressure was more last season, not to be relegated, to fight at the bottom,” he said.
“That pressure was hard. I think now we try to enjoy it to the fullest. Qualifying for the Champions League is something very big, for the club, for us, and we’ve deserved it for a long time.”
