Under Rafael Benitez, Newcastle got the results they required to ensure Premier League survival, but at times it was less than attractive.
After the Spaniard departed and Steve Bruce was appointed to take charge there was uproar from fans, many of whom may have been concerned the style of play would become even more negative.
However, with some savvy summer investment that has not always been the case. Allan Saint-Maximin has lit up the Premier League as Bruce predicted, with his searing pace and trademark headband.
The overlying fault of his time on Tyneside though is that the Frenchman is yet to provide a goal or an assist, causing fears he could be heading down the same path as teammate Miguel Almiron, who is in the same position almost a year after joining the club.
Since arriving from Nice for £16.5m, the winger has made seven starts and two substitute appearances, averaging four dribbles per 90 minutes. The Frenchman also has the fourth-highest number of carries ending in a shot in the Premier League this season with 12, behind only Gerard Deulofeu, Willian and Son Heung-min.
His high number of shots after dribbles is proof that while he is creating scoring opportunities more or less singlehandedly, Saint-Maximin is yet to discover his composure to finish those chances. The perfect example of this was the Magpies 3-2 victory over West Ham: on two occasions the 22-year-old was played through on goal, but both shots led to comfortable saves for the out of form Roberto Jimenez.
Then in the following fixture against A.F.C Bournemouth, he was one on one with Aaron Ramsdale and, opting for power, blasted his shot against the crossbar.
The signs are, however positive that the winger will adapt. Previously in Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga, Saint-Maximin only registered a single goal and two assists in 28 appearances. But, after joining Nice, he significantly increased his end product to 22 combined goals and assists in 68 games across two seasons.
Another player who struggled to adapt to Premier League life immediately was Wolves midfielder, Adama Traore. Though this season has marked a transformation is his productivity, already he has two goals and three assists to his name after 12 games.
While his other 66 Premier League games have only yielded one goal and three assists, the Spaniard has also increased his efficiency considering he has a lower number of shots per game with 0.8 compared to Saint Maximin’s 1.7.
Traore’s dramatic turnaround from wildly entertaining to a potent asset should give Saint-Maximin hope he too can adapt to the Premier League and rediscover the composure that prompted Newcastle to sign him, with the potential to enhance and increase his £22.5m valuation (Transfermarkt).
If he is able to, the Tyneside outfit may be in possession of a player with the ability to transform his potential and promise into effective performances in Bruce’s bid to retain the Magpies’ Premier League status in 2019/20.
