Newcastle’s Saint-Maximin has all the makings of a Premier League star

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United applaud fans following his sides victory in the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle United applaud fans following his sides victory in the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at St Mary's Stadium on March 07, 2020 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

As entertaining off the pitch as he is on it for Newcastle United, Allan Saint-Maximin is on his way to becoming a Premier League star.

Due to necessity and stubbornness from Steve Bruce, Newcastle United often played a defense-heavy, counter-attacking style this season. While the club was not always fun to watch, newcomer Allan Saint-Maximin was almost always the opposite. An exciting talent and engaging personality, the 23-year-old winger has everything to become a star in the Premier League.

On the pitch, Saint-Maximin is a high energy, high effort player, flying around the pitch with his Balmain Puma headband. No matter how isolated he might be in the attack, he flies forward, dribbling at defenders, and fearlessly tries to get into the area. Drawing comparisons to his compatriots and former NUFC stars David Ginola and Hatem Ben Arfa, there is just something special about a player that can change the entire match simply by running through the defense with the ball at his feet.

He didn’t score or assist as much as he should have in his first EPL season, but he produced some crucial goals and you could never question his motor on the pitch.

When he’s not thrilling the Toon Army with his dribbling across the Premier League, he’s almost equally entertaining on social media. He’s either dancing, goofing around with his children, or interacting virtually with the fans. It’s not unlikely for you to catch him in his Newcastle kit during his social media videos.

Early in his tenure with the club, he also worked with the Newcastle Food Bank. With that type of engagement combined with his eye-catching ability on the pitch, he became a fan favorite on Tyneside in a hurry.

As he continues to get more comfortable in the English top flight, he should increase his production in front of goal and assisting teammates. When/if the takeover goes through, he could also be surrounded by more talented players and in a more attack-based system. That will only help his chances of becoming one of the Premier League’s true stars.