Allan Saint-Maximin is fighting for a place in Eddie Howe’s starting XI with Southampton and Chelsea next up for Newcastle United. There’s no doubting the Frenchman’s impact going forward but there’s also a feeling he could play a key role defensively over the next few games.
There is no suggestion that Saint-Maximin is to become a wing-back, nor suddenly adopt a defensively dominating side to his game, but anyone who watched Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Brighton could not have failed to notice the winger's defensive input. Of course, ‘defensive input’ is written in the loosest of terms with the Frenchman’s best form of defence being attack.
With Brighton applying pressure to Newcastle, Saint-Maximin was introduced just after the hour mark and was vital in relieving pressure from an under siege United backline. In 24 minutes, Saint-Maximin clocked up only 13 ‘carries’ - this is where the player controls the ball and moves with it, but what stands out is that in that time his carrying of the ball saw him go further than any other Newcastle player.
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He moved 140 yards in any direction with 125 yards deemed progressive - this is where the player carries the ball forward towards the opponents’ goal. This was more than double the distance than the second ranked player, Emil Krafth.
With Southampton likely to apply similar pressure as Brighton, Saint-Maximin’s ability to carry the ball forward will be crucial. Despite being thumped four-nil by Villa, Southampton registered 68% possession and made nearly double the passes their opponents did.
If the Saints assert a similar dominance on United, the ability to have a player who can provide relief will obviously be welcomed, and Saint-Maximin could very well provide that. The question is whether Saint-Maximin would be more of use against Southampton or Chelsea - who United play just a few days later.
Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Chronicle Live’s John Gibson discussed the reintroduction of Saint-Maximin to the XI. “This is why Howe gets the big bucks - to make this call.
“What will happen with Saint-Maximin is that he will get you up the park and you might win a game you think you’re going to draw because he produces a piece of magic. Or if you’re behind you might get an equaliser.
“You saw both sides of him against Brighton - we were under the cosh and defending too deep. Both Tindall and Howe on the touchline were urging them to come out.
“We just went back, back, and back. It was just throw the ball to Brighton and they had three-quarters of the pitch to play in, and the one outlet we had to get up the park was Saint-Maximin.
“On a couple of occasions the ball was played out to him and he ran just over our 18-yard-line to theirs, albeit the last pass was poor on both occasions but he terrified them and produced moments that might have got the third goal.”
Saint-Maximin took part in training ahead of the trip to Southampton with Newcastle looking to continue on their unbeaten run in the Premier League for 2022. The other selection dilemma for Howe is the inclusion of the big January signing Bruno Guimaraes who has yet to start a game for Newcastle since his move from Lyon.
With Joelinton, Joe Willock and Jonjo Shelvey all finding form over recent weeks, it's hard to pick one man to drop out but with three games in just seven days, it is expected Guimaraes will start at least one.
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