The former Arsenal star has been impressed with the displays produced by Saint-Maximin, and believes that the 23-year-old winger is continuously improving.
Merson, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, has also compared the Frenchman to how Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers was two years ago.
Merson said about Saint-Maximin on Sky Sports News (1:18pm, July 4, 2020), as transcribed by The Chronicle: “I think he has got better. He reminds me of [Adama] Traore a couple of years ago. He would be 100 mile an hour but didn’t calm down or relax when he got into a certain position.
“As the season has gone on I think this lad has been absolutely brilliant. He has got pace, he gets his head up, he brings people into the game and he is an absolute find.
“The advantage you have is teams have a go at Newcastle and when they come and have a go when they have that pace on the counter attack then he is absolutely perfect. The lad is improving week in and week out and I think this lad is going to be a top player.”
Stats
Saint-Maximin moved to Newcastle from French club Nice in the summer of 2019 for a transfer fee reported by Sky Sports to be worth £16.5 million.
The winger has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and has been a key figure in manager Steve Bruce’s team.
According to WhoScored, the 23-year-old has made 19 starts and three substitute appearances in the league for the Magpies so far this season, scoring three goals and providing four assists in the process.
The Frenchman has also made three starts and one substitute appearance in the FA Cup for Newcastle this campaign, scoring one goal in the process, according to WhoScored.
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