Allan Saint-Maximin in full flight is an enthralling sight for Newcastle fans; the blistering speed, electric movement, and sheer unpredictability of the man make for heart-stopping moments. This sense of unrestrained excitement can’t be said for the opposition however given that you can quite literally see the panic set in when the Frenchman pierces the lines with only a few lumbering centre-backs left to protect their team’s goal from the devilishly fast winger.
🔥 @asaintmaximin 🔥
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 18, 2021
⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/qdXrTvcluR
So often, the move ends with the ball in the back of the net or the referee pointing toward the corner flag as defenders lay strewn around the penalty box, trying to catch their breath while simultaneously working out how they haven’t conceded.
As far as Newcastle players go in recent times, there surely hasn’t been one that makes the St James’ Park faithful get to their feet as often Saint-Maximin does.
Times are not what they once were
Although these are changing times in the North East owing to the club being taken over by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in October 2021. Essentially, players of extraordinary ability are no longer a rare sight at Darsley Park and this has meant that the Toon aren’t as reliant on Saint-Maximin’s individual brilliance pulling them out of a hole – like the 25-year-old had to do time and time again during the Steve Bruce era.
Indeed, under Eddie Howe’s management and thanks to intelligent purchasing in the transfer market, Newcastle are now a well-structured team that is the sum of its parts. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Saint-Maximin is surplus to Howe’s requirements but the arrival of Anthony Gordon from Everton in particular – a man who is also a left winger by trade, suggests that he is no longer indispensable.
In addition to Gordon’s arrival, the fact remains that whilst Saint-Maximin has been on the treatment table recovering from a hamstring injury over the last few months, the club have been enjoying one of their most productive seasons in the Premier League since finishing fifth under Alan Pardew during the 2011/2012 campaign.
However, there is a distinct difference between what we are seeing now under Howe to what happened during Pardew’s time that is worth touching on when looking at Saint-Maximin’s dwindling input. In 2012 at least, it felt like Newcastle were punching above their weight, whilst in 2023, the club looks like it genuinely belongs near the summit of the Premier League.
They are, after all, trailing Manchester City by just a handful of points in the league which is hugely significant given that the Sky Blues are arguably the best team in Europe. The latest Champions League final betting odds suggest that this is the case with Pep Guardiola’s men the favourite at a mere 15/8 to win the eventual showdown at Istanbul’s Atatürk Olympic Stadium on the 10th of June 2023. Ultimately, what this illustrates is that Newcastle have evolved into a side that is capable of keeping pace with a team that is consistently tipped to win the Champions League.
And crucially, they have been able to get to that level without a notable contribution from their once-star performer, Saint-Maximin.
Stick or twist?
With this being the case, it’s only logical to wonder what the future might hold for a man that is getting fewer minutes on the pitch and who has been quoted as saying: “I don’t play football to be on the bench.”
Timed to perfection by @asaintmaximin 😎#GoalOfTheDay x @NUFC pic.twitter.com/uJe6aRQkLI
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 19, 2022
This is where the club will have to consider the future extremely carefully as Saint-Maximin is a rare talent and even if he is battling to adjust to his new remit on the pitch under Howe, it may not be wise to sell him just yet. You can, of course, understand the temptation to do so as the club are on the limit of the financial fair play rules and the Frenchman would fetch a handsome price but if he goes, then the Toon may be surrendering one of their most effective weapons who could still find his own unique place in this new era at St James’ Park.