Many fans are pouring in messages of appreciation for Allan Saint-Maximin on his 23rd birthday.
Newcastle don’t need much excuse to heap praise on their exciting, young Frenchman, but what better excuse than his day of birth.
The club account tweeted saying “My darling, you with the headband, you are different gravy” – a quote which was said by popular online figure Eddie Hearn.
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Plenty of fans responded to the tweet, sharing their admiration for the footballer.
Many compared him to a previous fan favourite in Hatem Ben-Arfa who is an obvious comparison due to their incredible dribbling ability and flair, as well as have both come from France.
Here are some of the replies below…
My Prince, My Ups, My Downs, My Round and Rounds. My Everything. Don't ever change
— Gianfranco Shola (@GianfrancoShoIa) March 12, 2020
Most exciting player we’ve had since HBA. Enjoy him while we have him
— Craig (@Cr8ig10) March 12, 2020
We need to keep him like Palace keep Zaha
— Rowans9 (@Rowans93) March 12, 2020
He gets me excited beyond belief! The Saint!!!
— Mr Blue Sky (@MrBlueS84050314) March 12, 2020
What a player
— Brian (@briculver) March 12, 2020
Most exciting talent we’ve had in a long long time. Better than Ben Arfa IMO as more of a team player too. Happy Birthday to The Saint
— David Morgon 🏴 (@heelandlad) March 12, 2020
Since joining, Saint-Maximin has hardly been prolific, but it’s the threat he brings with the ball at his feet which is so exciting.
From 21 games in all competitions, he has three goals and four assists – not bad, but not great.
However, as WhoScored tells us, only two players average more dribbles per game than his 4.4, apart from Adama Traore and Wilfried Zaha.
It’s more than a statistic, though. Saint-Maximin brings joy: in a team which has the worst possession stats in the division, the trickiness and unpredictability he brings make the games worth watching.