Newcastle have a long-running tradition of individual greatness, players who can carry the team on their own when necessary.
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From local lads Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley to French imports David Ginola and Hatem Ben Arfa, jinking runs from twinkle-toed forwards, the kind that end up on highlights reels for years to come, have perhaps been more common at St James’ Park than anywhere across the Premier League era.
Talksport Twitter Drive
We’ll even throw Nobby Solano in there.
A cynic would suggest it’s a tradition which says more about the lack of inspiration surrounding the star player at Newcastle, an indication of over-reliance on one man.
Either way, there can be no doubt who that latest man is right now, and he also happens to be French: Allan Saint-Maximin.
The 24-year-old winger has been a shining light on a gloomy Tyneside this season, giving the Toon army most of their few reasons to smile.
Saint-Maximin’s absence after contracting coronavirus in November saw the team sucked into a relegation battle, while his catalytic cameo at Burnley on Sunday might’ve dragged them out of it.
Talksport Twitter Georgie Bingham
A goal and an assist secured a comeback win which leaves Newcastle six points clear of 18th-place Fulham with a game in hand.
‘Where would they be without him?’ Well, it’s clear, but also irrelevant because they have him. Glass half full, eh?
Not only has Saint-Maximin supplied the goods in terms of goals and assists, he injects some much needed fun into the Magpies.
Newcastle fans would be the first to argue they rank among the Premier League’s least entertaining teams. Whether that’s Steve Bruce’s tactics or a general mishandling of the club from owner Mike Ashley, we’ll leave that for now.
One thing’s for certain, it’s all pretty boring until Saint-Maximin gets the ball. Suddenly, you remember why you’re watching this rubbish game of football after all. Geomax geo office crack key.
The relentless pattern of diligent defending and predictable passing makes way for something exciting, something magical, something Newcastle has always stood for as a football club: pure, unadulterated joy.
And not just on the pitch. His play is a reflection of his outlook on life: the former Saint-Etienne, Monaco and Nice forward chooses not to take things too seriously.
Having arrived at Newcastle in 2019, Saint-Maximin has introduced the Toon army to the world of memes, often celebrating victories by using the latest viral clip on Twitter.
While most footballers are just ‘happy for the three points, onto the next one’, Saint-Maximin acts like a real human being on his social media channels.
There is no better example than his latest tweet, which literally puts an Everton fan in the bin.
Talksport Twitter Alan Brazil
Thank you for your comment Patrick 🤝 https://t.co/2fdqkWFCsdpic.twitter.com/Ip5sLhKRnb
— Allan Saint-Maximin (@asaintmaximin) April 11, 2021
That's messed up since we didn't see anything because of the cold night (hopefully 😅) #WeWillRememberYouPenicopterhttps://t.co/QDhO2Gzsly
— Allan Saint-Maximin (@asaintmaximin) February 6, 2020If neutral fans are searching for a reason to get behind Newcastle’s survival bid, the spectacle of the team doesn’t make it all that easy. A lot of those players probably don’t belong in the Premier League.
But like Newcastle’s passionate fan base and the club’s stature, Saint-Maximin, the maverick superstar and all-round top bloke, is right where he belongs.