Wildcard Saint-Maximin's Newcastle impact makes him signing of the season


While transfer fees continued to soar, it's fair to say there haven't been too many signings from last summer that have really shone in the Premier League, particularly from an attacking perspective.

While the teams most would consider to be the elite in the country looked to sure things up defensively rather than bolster their offensive ranks in the most part, a number of those outside the traditional top six spent big on players at the other end.

Leicester, Watford, West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle all forked out fees in excess of £20m for attacking players, most of whom have to this point failed to justify their price tag.

Joelinton is perhaps chief among them having arrived in the North East from Hoffenheim for an eye-watering £40m fee. That for a player who scored just seven goals in the Bundesliga last season. His advocates at the time argued that the Brazilian was an asset beyond his modest goal tally, but while he has his merits, few could really back up such a huge fee.

While the striker's doubters have been vindicated in that stance to now, another player who arrived at Newcastle with his fair share of critics was Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Frenchman had proven in spells with Bastia and Nice in Ligue 1 that he had unquestionable raw talent but the fear was that's all it was. Raw talent and erratic decision making made him entertaining to watch from a neutral's perspective but his own fans were often left frustrated by his tendency to venture down blind alleys and fire off ill advised attempts from distance.

The 23-year-old's start to life in England had flashes of that untamed exuberance, but in truth, that's exactly what this Newcastle squad - under this Newcastle manager - needs more than anything. A team extremely well-drilled from a defensive standpoint by Rafa Benitez, taken over by a coach in Steve Bruce renowned for a pragmatic approach to the game, was crying out for a little unpredictability.

Allan Saint-Maximin is unpredictability personified, at least in terms of his actions on the pitch. A winger who had previously looked to have an over-inflated sense of confidence in his own ability is now consistently delivering performances befitting of a player that knows he can have an impact on any game. Now the one thing that is becoming predictable about the new idol in the north is his dominance over those trying to thwart him.

His dribbling ability has always been a standout trait but his efficiency has gone up markedly in that regard since the turn of the year in particular. Indeed, his dirbble success rate in 2020 is an outstanding 75.9 per cent, having completed a whopping 44 of 58.

He's a box of tricks whose talents seem to be elevated higher in an otherwise functional and frankly mundane side and system. His stunning 5.9 successful dribbles per 90 minutes is more than half the average of Newcastle's entire squad (10.7).

Players of that ilk can often be inhibited by such a style of football, particularly if they don't buy into the defensive demands of the coach, and that's where attitude becomes a key factor for a new signing. It's the one aspect of Saint-Maximin's game that had been questioned consistently prior to his move to England, having previously fallen out with Nice boss and former Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

There were reports earlier this year of a recurrence on Tyneside, with the player's relationship with Bruce - or apparent lack thereof - questioned. The coach was quick to brush such suggestions under the carpet and, to his credit, has given Saint-Maximin free reign to do what he does best ever since.

 

 

The end product may not be there just yet, despite what a hat-trick of assists against a dismal Bournemouth side may suggest in the week. He'd registered just one all season beforehand after all, but the Frenchman's mere presence in the Newcastle lineup makes them an entirely different and more concerning proposition to opponents.

That's immediately apparent in a remarkable drop off in results in the 14 Premier League matches that Saint-Maximin has not started this season. A record of just one win, five draws and only nine goals scored in said games is woeful, while a total of 26 conceded is perhaps even more surprising from a Steve Bruce side.

 

Wildcard Saint-Maximin's Newcastle impact makes him signing of the season

 

By contrast, in Saint-Maximin's 18 league starts, Newastle have won ten, losing just four. Their goals per game almost doubles (0.64 to 1.33), while again more shockingly, goals conceded almost halve (1.86 to 0.94 when the winger starts). That not only points to a huge increase in attacking potency from the team as a whole but also the fact that their opponents are far more wary to go all guns blazing with a player like Saint-Maximin present and able to slice through them on the counter.

Consistency is the key for Saint-Maximin, and will be the defining factor in his career. Still just 23, there's plenty of room for improvement, but 18 league starts is a small sample size in the Premier League that potential suitors will be mindful of.

If, however, the winger can continue to develop as he has since the turn of the year in particular - with only Bruno Fernandes and Mohamed Salah earning a higher WhoScored rating in 2020 than the Newcastle star (7.71) - then the sky is the limit.

Given their playing styles and also their previous reputations, many have understandably drawn comparisons with Adama Traore at Wolves.

It's not an unfair comparison in truth, but Saint-Maximin has some catching up to do to match the Spaniard's sensational progression in terms of his delivery and decision making in the final third. Traore is believed to be on the radar of some of Europe's top clubs, but those with more modest budgets in the current climate should have one eye on Saint-Maximin.

That's not to say the Frenchman would be cheap by any stretch. Newcastle would be looking for more than double the £16m they spent last summer - which now looks like exceptional business - but he'd still likely cost significantly less than the fee Wolves could command.

For the time being, however, Newcastle are savouring their Saint. While Bruno Fernandes is stealing the plaudits for his impact in Manchester, the Geordies can lay claim to the best signing from last summer. A WhoScored rating of 7.34 for the season overall is now enough to rank among the top ten players in the Premier League, and the highest of all new recruits made last year.

Wildcard Saint-Maximin's Newcastle impact makes him signing of the season