Throughout the 2022-2023 season, the attacking core for Newcastle United has shifted, changed, and grown numerous times.
While injuries have plagued some of the young stars like Allan Saint-Maximin and Alexander Isak, those behind them have emerged into essential roles.
Through just five games played and three games started, Isak has made the most of his opportunities scoring three goals. His season has been plagued with countless injuries that have hindered any sort of consistent momentum.
While Isak has made the most of the opportunities given to him, the same cannot be said for Saint-Maximin.
When on top of his game, he is arguably the most talented player that Newcastle United have in their squad. He is the kind of player who can make plays happen and oftentimes unravels something out of nothing. Unfortunately for Newcastle tho, he has not been on top of his game for a while now.
Through 13 games played and five games started, he has contributed one goal and three assists. His total of four goals and assists places him seventh on the team on the season.
With the new signing of Anthony Gordon in the January transfer window from Everton, Gordon will most certainly move into a starting role in the near future. Saint-Maximin and Gordon also place the same role on the left wing, effectively sliding him out of the lineup further.
Currently, the forwards of Miguel Almirón, Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, and even Chris Wood have established roles on the team, so with Gordon joining the team in the transfer window, Saint-Maximin’s room for error has become even slimmer.
Against West Ham United this past Saturday, he struggled to find a footing after starting and was replaced by Gordon in the 69th minute.
Gordon may start over Saint-Maximin in the coming contests.
As the fourth-place-ranked team in the Premier League, Newcastle United cannot afford to have lackluster place down the stretch of the season.
With 16 games remaining in the Premier League season, Saint-Maximin still has time to rebuild his stock but only time will tell if the once-loved young star will remain with Newcastle United in the 2023-2024 season.
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