Allan Saint-Maximin arrived at Newcastle United in the summer of 2019 and has since become the shining light in a dim and dreary Magpies side. Thrilling to watch, nightmarish to defend against and a fans’ hero for the Toon faithful, he is without a doubt a special player and should be now more than ever eyed up for a spot in the France squad.
Didier Deschamps Should Not Hesitate to Makes Allan Saint-Maximin France Call
France Have Issues in Forward Areas
It’s no secret that France have struggled to produce the same devastatingly magical football that we saw in 2018 – the year in which Les Bleus bagged their second World Cup crown with solid and blistering football that proved unplayable.
However, in the two and a half years subsequent to lifting the World Cup, France’s forward line has been easily stifled and contained after deep-lying and resolute sides learned how to deal with the mostly one-dimensional approach of playing around Olivier Giroud.
Then came the reintroduction of Karim Benzema prior to Euro 2020.
Les Bleus’ preparation friendly against Wales in early June brought with it a new optimism, awe and joy with the national team. Benzema’s return had reinvigorated France, almost to the point where no one else was even in contention for the European Championships.
Dynamic running, elusive movement and a beautiful finesse throughout Didier Deschamps’ side’s 3-0 win against the Welsh had marked the birth of a terrifying front three. That was until the intensity and chemistry between the trio of Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann seemingly dissipated and couldn’t be regained in any system the France boss tried.
Since the preparatory friendlies in June, it’s been a story of ‘nearly’ and ‘not quite’ for France. Disappointing results – including a humiliating dumping out of Euro 2020 courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat to Switzerland in the last 16 – dull performances and a general lack of direction have presented Deschamps with harsh questions that need answers.
Time for Allan Saint-Maximin to Be Included in France Squad
Even with the injection of fresh legs and impetus in such performances, the results are all too familiar. Kingsley Coman has consistently failed to replicate his scintillating form at Bayern Munich, Ousmane Dembele has in fact reproduced his lack of end product for Barcelona at international level, Anthony Martial hasn’t produced any true quality for his country since his early appearances as a teenager while the likes of Moussa Diaby and Jonathon Ikone are simply not quite at the required level to make an impact in the Tricolore.
And it seems as though Allan Saint-Maximin is a bit of a forgotten man when it comes France.
Okay, he isn’t playing Champions League – or even Europa League – football and terrorising defences in Europe’s elite club competition. And yes, he isn’t at a club competing for silverware, rather a club doomed for another scrappy season. But he is undoubtedly deserving of a place in Deschamp’s France squad – now more than ever.
The 24-year-old is the spark in Newcastle’s depressingly mediocre side. He gets supporters off their seats, he alone makes matches worth watching and he’s the one that injects the true essence and spirit of football into tedious fixtures.
The Frenchman’s stats may not have always reflected his undying influence on the Magpies’ outings, but this season is different. Saint-Maximin is finally getting the decisive contributions that turn his electrifyingly frightening performances into something tangible.
Stats Prove His Worth
He has played every minute of Newcastle’s five Premier League matches thus far, scoring twice and assisting a further two. His latest contribution came on Friday night, completing an untouchable and mazy run with a clinical finish to equalise against Leeds at St. James’ Park – a goal that earned his team a draw.
🗣️ "It reminds me of that goal George Best scored all those years ago!"
Newcastle's Allan Saint-Maximin weaves his way past three defenders before rifling a shot into the far corner 🔥
📺 Watch #NEWLEE live on Sky Sports PLpic.twitter.com/w95pMUYJwu
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) September 17, 2021
Steve Bruce’s side have only registered two points so far and it looks inevitable that the Toon army are condemned to another relegation battle this campaign.
But, with four goal contributions in five games around colleagues who are seemingly incapable of producing the same hair-raising football, it’s blatantly evident that Saint-Maximin will once again single-handedly carry Newcastle’s barely lit torch throughout the season.
And his devilishly dangerous, exciting, game-changing and match-winning performances have been deserving of international football for some time.
Deschamps needs something fresh in his forward options, and he should look no further than Allan Saint-Maximin for France in the upcoming international break in October.
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