Chris Wilder doubts Eddie Howe ‘really fancies’ Allan Saint-Maximin as the forward did not start for Newcastle United at Manchester City. The winger fell to their bench this Saturday.
The Frenchman lost his place in Howe’s team at the Etihad Stadium with Anthony Gordon opening the action, instead. Saint-Maximin had locked down the left-wing slot in the Toon squad over recent weeks. He also started in the Magpies’ Carabao Cup final loss last week.
Howe recalled Saint-Maximin to their starting line-up after losing Bruno Guimares through suspension with Joelinton returning to his midfield. The Brazilian had kept the 25-year-old to just a backup role after replacing Saint-Maximin following his hamstring injury last summer.
Saint-Maximin was Newcastle’s undisputed first choice on their left-hand flank prior to the injury. But Howe only felt fit to start the former U21 international after dropping Joelinton into their midfield after Guimaraes’ red card. He also signed Gordon this January for £45m.
Opening Newcastle’s three Premier League matches prior to visiting Manchester City took the attacker to seven starts this season. He made a further eight cameos as a substitute, as well. But over 722 minutes of top-flight football, the winger had one goal and three assists.
Wilder wonders if Howe ‘really fancies’ Saint-Maximin at Newcastle
Saint-Maximin also scored his only Premier League goal this season before Newcastle’s trip to Manchester City in August against Wolves. While he penned two of his assists in August, as well, against the Citizens. The Frenchman’s efforts helped the Toon to claim a 3-3 draw.
Now, though, Saint-Maximin faces an uncertain future at Newcastle as Dean Jones reports there is a ‘real possibility’ he leaves. The Sunday People (19/02, p62) also notes Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring the winger having elected against a move during the January sales.
While Rudy Galetti claims the Magpies slapped a £60m price tag on the winger in the mid-season sales. Saint-Maximin joined Newcastle in August 2019 under Steve Bruce from OGC Nice for £16.5m, rising to £20m with add-ons. But Wilder wonders if Howe now wants him.
“I do wonder if Eddie Howe really fancies Allan Saint-Maximin because I’d imagine he’d be playing, as one of the more important players, in a game as big as this,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “This is arguably Newcastle’s best team out today for their most important game.”
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