Darren Ambrose has told talkSPORT he fears Allan Saint-Maximin has started to lose trust in his teammates, which is affecting the Newcastle United winger’s recent performances.
Saint-Maximin is now without a goal in six Premier League games and has not offered an assist since September 25. The Frenchman had started the season strongly under former Toon boss Steve Bruce, with two goals and three assists in six games as the central figure.
The 24-year-old was the dynamic presence in the Magpies’ attack as one of Bruce’s strikers with Callum Wilson. But the arrival of Eddie Howe as boss saw Saint-Maximin return to the wing, and he is yet to influence the scoreline with the 44-year-old stood in the dugout.
Saint-Maximin’s last goal came against Brentford on November 20 as Howe watched from his hotel following a positive covid test. The £72k-a-week magician even fell to the bench as the Magpies lost to Manchester City on Sunday, with Howe fielding Ryan Fraser instead.
Ambrose issues honest verdict on Saint-Maximin at Newcastle
Ambrose fears Saint-Maximin’s decline in form also shows he has lost trust in his Newcastle teammates. The former Toon midfielder suggests the winger has not been the same since United’s 3-3 draw with Brentford, when Joelinton spurned a chance to convert his pass.
“I don’t think he will go. It would take a massive bid and Newcastle don’t need the money,” Ambrose said.
“But what I’m starting to see in Allan Saint-Maximin is that it looks like he’s losing trust in his teammates. I think it was against Brentford where he did a mazy, unbelievable run.
“He laid it off to Joelinton, but he missed the easy chance. Something’s clicked in his head, he didn’t seem to be passing a lot against Man City. He and Callum Wilson need to stay.”
Saint-Maximin offered sparks but no bang vs Manchester City
Howe introduced Saint-Maximin at half-time in Newcastle’s defeat to Manchester City with Pep Guardiola’s side leading 2-0. He replaced Joe Willock, while Fraser moved to the right.
Saint-Maximin added some life to the Toon attack at points, but never tested City stopper Ederson. The winger’s day instead ended with one off-target shot, six successful passes and no key balls. He also only completed 57% of his attempted dribbles, per WhoScored.
His efforts followed a similar trend for the term with 0.6 on-target shots per game over 18 Premier League outings. But WhoScored average him at 4.1 successful dribbles from 6.6.
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