It’s fair to say Allan Saint-Maximin is a cult-hero for Newcastle United fans.
In a team who can provide supporters such little joy – especially when they cannot even go to St. James’ Park – when at their worst, the Gucci headband-wearing trickster has often proved to be a beacon of hope. Averaging the second-highest number of dribbles per game in the Premier League last season (4.7, via WhoScored), Newcastle have only ever actually won once without him playing since he joined in the summer of 2019.
While he’s not alone in this, it’s been a slow season for the 23-year-old this time around. Indeed, his averages for dribbles, key passes and shots per game are all down and he’s only been able to register a singular goal and assist apiece in the 20/21 campaign.
Interestingly enough, The Athletic have revealed manager Steve Bruce was frustrated with his lack of application during a pre-season game. During an embarrassing 5-1 loss to Middlesbrough in September (a game in which he scored), his boss was thought to have been less than pleased with his efforts.
I have written before as to why the new contract Saint-Maximin has signed shouldn’t be taken to mean he’ll be sticking around. Only weeks before, he talked about how he wanted the team to match his ambitions and play in Europe, which certainly looks unlikely at the moment under the current regime.
With the footballing world potentially getting to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic as fans gradually start to return amid talk of vaccines finally arriving, it’s certainly not hard to imagine a team looking to prise him away next summer after reported interest from Wolves and, sensibly, Newcastle could simply have been protecting their asset.
Will Allan Saint-Maximin be a Newcastle player this time next year?
Yes
No
While no one should ever condone a lack of application, it’s not as if Newcastle are giving him the best framework from which to flourish. They rank lowest for ball progression as well as shots on target per 90 minutes, with only two teams in the division averaging less possession.
After all, Miguel Almiron’s agent recently spoke of his client wanting to play in a more enterprising side and, as frustrating as it is, it’d be hard to blame Saint-Maximin for feeling the same, should that be the case.