Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after Between the Lines asked whether or not Allan Saint-Maximin is the Premier League’s best dribbler.
Saint-Maximin moved to St. James’ Park from Ligue 1 side OGC Nice for a potential £20million last summer, and has featured in 12 of our Premier League fixtures to date while scoring a sole goal.
The 22-year-old forward has missed our last six top-flight games due to a hamstring injury, though could feature on Saturday when we host Chelsea in the evening kick-off after head coach Steve Bruce stated he had trained for the past two weeks.
Across his Premier League appearances thus far, Saint-Maximin has demonstrated tremendous speed and skill on the wings, while creating a host of chances for his Toon teammates despite only seeing one key pass lead to an assist.
Between the Lines have now raised the question of whether or not the former France U21 international is the Premier League’s best dribbler, having assessed a range of his statistics recorded in the top-flight to date.
Is Saint-Maximin the Premier League's best dribbler?
Yes
No
Saint-Maximin has registered 13 key passes in the league over his 12 appearances, while being fouled 17 times, averaged 4.5 successful dribbles per game and recorded a top speed of 22.8 miles per hour.
His highest recorded sprint speed is the sixth fastest registered in the league this season, per Between the Lines, while 4.5 successful dribbles a game is the third-best average.
Wolverhampton Wanderer’s Adama Traore leads the top-flight for the average number of successful dribbles per game with 5.52, while Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is second with 4.95, per Sofa Score figures.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Between the Lines’ statistics on Saint-Maximin, and the question of whether he is the Premier League’s best dribbler or not…
Can’t wait for you to be back on the pitch what a player ⚡️ @asaintmaximin
— Kieran Allman (@kjallman16) January 16, 2020
Your the best dad hope you back Saturday 💪💪⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️
— Ste saint maximin (@stenicho86) January 16, 2020
Best dribbler by a mile. I think he has a lot more end product to some also. So good
— David Tasker (@DavidTazGolf9) January 16, 2020
Hes going to RIP Chelsea apart on Saturday
— Graeme Pilkington (@graemepilkingto) January 16, 2020
What a dub
— 🇫🇷Kian🇫🇷 (@RatedASM) January 16, 2020
🤞He had a bloody go last time! Hes class to watch.
— Dave (@davePnixon91) January 16, 2020
Good to know. If it were not injuries,he would have been the best dribbler per game and the best in other stats. I guess the top two dribbles are Adama Traore & Riyad Mahrez?
— Ramin Benzia (@RaminNufc) January 16, 2020
Not wanting to be negative but how many assits has he had in those 12 games?
— Know nowt. (@Imhappy1862) January 16, 2020
Dub
— PC7 @NUFC (DDL 🏴) (@SaintMaximinSzn) January 16, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a rumoured target is ‘getting ready to say goodbye’ to his current side ahead of a January switch to St. James’ Park.