Newcastle United may be having a season to remember, but it has been another frustrating campaign for injury-ravaged Allan Saint-Maximin. The forward has spent a lot of time either on the sidelines or on the Magpies bench.
Despite Saint-Maximin’s injury setbacks, Eddie Howe has promised to not lose patience with him.
Are Newcastle in the Title Race?
Since the new owners have come in, Newcastle have been on a rapid rise. The Premier League big boys are starting to take notice, and some pundits believe that United are in the title race this season.
Arsenal are the runaway leaders, while Manchester City will never give up while Pep Guardiola is on board. Manchester United are also having a solid season under new boss Erik ten Hag. However, anyone looking to place football bets on Newcastle will get huge odds of 100/1 for them to be crowned champions this term. The Magpies are now a popular option to finish in the top four in the football betting tips, which is remarkable considering where they were at the start of 2022.
✨ @asaintmaximin ✨ pic.twitter.com/mXWj12ld7d
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 10, 2023
Saint-Maximin Could be Vital Going Forward
Newcastle have been outstanding this season. No matter what happens from now until the end of the campaign, the Magpies have made tremendous progress under Howe, who has become extremely popular among the supporters.
Several players have played at a high level this term, but Saint-Maximin’s appearances have been few and far between. Injury has certainly halted his momentum, although the form of Howe’s other stars has kept the winger out of the team of late.
Since arriving at St James’ Park on a six-year contract back in 2019, Saint-Maximin has put on a number of dazzling displays. He has so often been United’s standout player, with five goals and five assists in 2021-22 being his best return so far.
During his spell in Tyneside, Saint-Maximin has become a huge hit with the Magpies fans, putting in several top performances for the club. He has yet to play for the French senior side but was a regular for his nation at lower levels.
Saint-Maximin was also a regular for Newcastle at the start of this season, starting successive matches in August against Nottingham Forest, Brighton & Hove Albion, Man City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, since suffering a hamstring injury after scoring a stunning equaliser at Wolves, Saint-Maximin has played a bit part role.
Can Saint-Maximin Dazzle Again?
Breaking back into this in-form Newcastle side and cementing his place in the starting line-up will be a tall order for the talented winger. However, with the games coming thick and fast, Newcastle could need him more than ever.
United are seemingly on the verge of something special, and Saint-Maximin will no doubt play a big role going forward. Right now, his priority is getting back into Howe’s starting XI and staying there.
On his day, there are few players in the Premier League as exciting as Saint-Maximin, and the 25-year-old still has a bright future ahead of him at St James’ Park.