Danny Rose has only been at Newcastle United since joining in January on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. However, in the short period he has spent with the north-east club, the 29 cap England international revealed how one of his teammates’ attributes have already impressed him. Not only that, but the left-back has been so awestruck by the talents of the Magpies ace that, in Rose’s mind, he has eclipsed an international colleague and former teammate.
What did he say?
Speaking to NUFC TV, Rose said: “I first watched him when I think you [Newcastle] played Man City at home and he was up against Kyle Walker. Kyle, for me, is the best in the league and Maxi gave him a bit of a difficult time.”
The on-loan left-back then added: “Now I get to train with him and play with him week in, week out. I can see why fans love him. In a one v one situation, he’s probably the best I’ve come across. Now he’s adding goals to his game, I’m over the moon for him. It is a privilege to play with him.”
Rubbing shoulders with the Premier League’s best
Allan Saint-Maximin, valued at £22.5m (Transfermarkt), has been a sensation on the St James’ Park turf this season. The enigmatic Frenchman has consistently dazzled with his incredible dribbling prowess, but as Rose revealed, has struggled to add goals to his game, finding the net just twice in the top-flight this term.
However, as the England international left-back suggested when it comes to his abilities in one on one situations, Saint-Maximin is up with the best in the division. He has completed the fourth most successful take-ons this term, 80, for an average of one every 16 minutes of Premier League action. His incredible acceleration and close control at speed have been vital for Steve Bruce’s side initiating counter attacks.
Furthermore, only Adama Traore and Wilfried Zaha have completed more Premier League dribbles per match this term, 5.2 and 4.7 respectively, than Saint-Maximin’s average of 4.4, as per WhoScored. Clearly the 23-year-old is getting himself into a lot of one v one scenarios and Rose is right to suggest he is up there with the very best in the division.
