Brutal Allan Saint-Maximin comments arrive from French experts & ex-coach ahead of World Cup

Allan Saint-Maximin may be the king on Tyneside and a fan favourite amongst Newcastle United fans, but the feeling in France appears to be somewhat different.

In a piece assessing his hopes of being called up to the national squad, The Athletic have spoken to his former France U20 coach and a host of French journalist to understand how the enigmatic winger is viewed in his homeland.

The 25-year-old recently admitted that it is a “dream” of his to be selected ahead of this year’s World Cup in Qatar, however experts south of the English Channel fear he’s “nowhere near” Didier Deschamps’ squad.

In his latest squad, Giroud, Griezmann, Mbappe, Coman, Ben Yedder, Diaby and Nkunku were selected, while the likes of Martial, Benzema, Dembele and Thuram have also featured recently, highlighting the level of competition ASM faces.

Here’s what the French experts had to say when asked about Saint-Maximin as a player and his current predicament ahead of the World Cup:

Christophe Larcher (France Football)

“We don’t talk about Saint-Maximin as a top player here.”

“We know he is very gifted, but he is seen as selfish and not intelligent on the ball.

“He needs to fit into the team if Didier Deschamps, the France coach, is going to pick him. He simply hasn’t done enough.”

Martin Mosnier (Eurosport France)

“Saint-Maximin is very far from the national team,”

“For Deschamps, you must be proven in the Champions League to play for France. Also, Deschamps has so many options in attack — to the extent that (Arsenal’s) Alexandre Lacazette does not even get a look.

It is so competitive, and Saint-Maximin is nowhere near.”

Ludovic Batelli (Saint-Maximin’s coach during France U20 days)

“Allan’s career is not linear. He has huge talent, but he must do more.

“Allan is an ‘esprit libre’, a free spirit, and when you have Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman, maybe you do not need someone like Allan.”

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

6 thoughts on “Brutal Allan Saint-Maximin comments arrive from French experts & ex-coach ahead of World Cup

  1. Love him as we do, he is not fit enough to play for France at the World Cup.
    There must be 5 players ahead of him at present.
    If he can regularly get through 90 mins for us at a top level, then the French national team would be all over him, but super sub won’t cut it with France who have many other options they can bring from the bench.

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  2. Fair comments, lack of consistency, work rate and sometimes awareness for the team have been evident at Newcastle, so can’t see him getting into the French team… one great game in six or seven matches is not good enough these days to be classed as a top player…. he does a job for us because we have very little else for the time being.
    His many absences and recovery times are not great either.
    Would prefer a consistent 90%+ player than a 70% one with the occasional 100% game thrown in.!

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  3. So talented but French comments are totally correct. The answer – trust Howe implicitly and follow his instructions/guidance, rather than natural instinct and he might make it. He has the ability but it must be channelled in the right way.

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  4. Totally agree with the first comment about his selfishness on the ball I’ve mentioned many times about it he’s a million miles from being a top player unless he eradicates from his game and quickly he’s 25 now so penny got to start dropping hopefully

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  5. Don’t get me wrong he’s a gifted player but needs to lift his head up and play a pass he can’t beat every opposition player a neat one two and head up and cross and France send scouts to watch him pus like many above he needs to complete 90mins and stop wearing bandages all over his body

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