Rival managers have taken note of how Allan Saint-Maximin is making a real difference in the final-third for Newcastle United this season, according to Chronicle Live.
Coaches from across the country already knew Saint-Maximin is key to the Toon operating efficiently on the pitch. They note how the Frenchman helps Steve Bruce’s side transition up the field at pace.
Staff consistently discuss Saint-Maximin as a player they must look out for while building their game plans to beat Newcastle. But are now adding further thought to the 24-year-old’s end product, as well.
Saint-Maximin has started to show much more to his game in the final-third of the pitch this season. He is not holding onto the ball as long or attempting to take on one too many opponents as before.
The £72k-a-week dynamo is also relishing the responsibility of being one of the Toon’s leading attacking figures. A role that has gone up a notch more while Bruce waits on Callum Wilson’s return from injury.
Another boost for Newcastle is that Saint-Maximin has managed to play the full 90-minutes in all five Premier League fixtures. Before this term, the former U21 international had only played the full 90 in 16 of his 56 appearances since joining the Toon for £16.5m in 2019.
Saint-Maximin had also only played the full 90 in, at best, two successive games or four in a six-game period. Bruce will hope the ex-Nice attacker can stay fit and maintains his form after a strong start to the season.
Newcastle must fear over-relying on Saint-Maximin
Newcastle will be closely monitoring Saint-Maximin’s fitness, given his previous problems with injuries since moving to Tyneside. Bruce will also be fearful of becoming too reliant on the 24-year-old being the Magpies’ answer in attack.
The Toon would have zero points after five Premier League games without the forward’s input. He has scored twice and assisted two goals over their opening fixtures, with a direct impact in their two draws.
Saint-Maximin’s goal put Newcastle ahead against Southampton in the 90th-minute, before James Ward-Prowse converted a 96th-minute penalty to equalise. The Frenchman also hit the back of the net against Leeds, which ultimately salvaged a point after Raphinha’s goal.
His assists against West Ham and Manchester United, meanwhile, ultimately proved irrelevant to the result as Newcastle lost both games. But Saint-Maximin gave Bruce hope of beating the Hammers by playing Wilson in to open the scoring. He also gave hope to a result at Old Trafford, by feeding Javier Manquillo for the Spaniard to equalise.
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