Allan Saint-Maximin showed why he can be one of the best in the world during Newcastle United’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City at St James’ Park, former Premier League defender Alex Bruce tells the BBC Football Daily with Demba Ba joining in the praise on Twitter.
Bruce Sr certainly knows first-hand just how electrifying Newcastle’s mercurial number ten can be on his day.
And, as Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland and co came to town, Saint-Maximin was obviously determined to ensure he stepped up to the challenge. Playing like a man possessed, he was a blur of perpetual motion during a thrilling 90 minutes; Setting up both of Newcastle’s first-half goals for Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson.
It was, in short, one of those games. You know, one of those games when Saint-Maximin looks like Maradona reborn.
And Bruce Jr, son of former Magpies coach Steve, is just glad he doesn’t have to go one-on-one with a footballer who is unpredictable as he is accelerating.
Allan Saint-Maximin tears Manchester City apart
“I wouldn’t be able to get near him!” Bruce says. “When Allan is in that form, like he was today, he’s as good a winger as anybody in the world, for me. That’s how well I think of the guy. I think he’s a superb player.
“His challenge now is can he maintain that consistently? I think, if he can, he’s going to be a really, really huge asset to Newcastle.
“He’s still relatively young as well. I you can have one criticism, it’s that he can be (good) one week and a little bit hit and miss (the next). Can you repeat that on a consistent basis?
“If he does reach those standards, he’s arguably one of the greatest wingers in the world! On his day, he’s as good as anybody. He’s an unbelievable talent.”
Saint-Maximin was not the only Newcastle player on top form against the Champions. Nick Pope stopped Erling Haaland from claiming his first hat-trick in English football, Joelinton again looked like Brazil’s own Bryan Robson, while perhaps the greatest compliment you could pay Bruno Guimaraes is that he wouldn’t have looked out of place in sky blue.
But it was Saint-Maximin, and his Shaolin Soccer limbs, who will be haunting Pep Guardiola’s dreams tonight.
“I don’t care what you all saying,” former Newcastle favourite Demba Ba wrote on Twitter. “I’m in love with Saint-Maximin’s football!”
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