There was heartbreak at Newcastle United last summer as Eddie Howe decided to sell Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Frenchman was a talisman during his time at Newcastle United – often viewed as the only beacon of hope during the Steve Bruce era. Allan Saint-Maximin was exceptional under the previous regime, with Bruce building a brilliant relationship with him.
But things were expected to be tougher under Eddie Howe, with the former Bournemouth man not expected to give Maxi the free role that he enjoyed under Bruce. He indulged Saint-Maximin for the good of the club, to the point that Newcastle struggled without him.
Howe was different, and found a way for Newcastle United to be successful as a team – with or without Saint-Maximin.
Newcastle United sold Allan Saint-Maximin last summer
There were always rumours about Saint-Maximin’s future at St James’ Park, but they began to ramp up in early 2023. It ultimately led to the Magpies selling ASM, as he headed to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Ahli. In truth, Howe did not want to sell him, but a transfer was completed out of necessity.
The deal allowed Newcastle to reinvest, with Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento arriving. And Newcastle already had Saint-Maximin’s replacement anyway, with Anthony Gordon joining the club months earlier.
Newcastle now have very different wingers. In truth, there is no one like Saint-Maximin. He is completely unique, and his outrageous skill and ability made him a fan favourite on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe explains why Newcastle had to sell
And he was also a player who Howe loved, despite selling him last year. The Newcastle boss has spoke to Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast about Saint-Maximin, explaining why the club decided to move him on.
Neville had asked Howe if he wanted a certain type of winger at Newcastle United, which was why Gordon had came in to take Saint-Maximin’s place. But Howe disputed that, and explained what it was really like to work with the 27-year-old.
“Not necessarily on that individual circumstance,” he said.
“Maxi was a player that I absolutely loved. Yes, he was slightly different to the conventional winger that I have had in the past. An absolute maverick, a magician with the ball but we were accommodating him and his strengths and weaknesses within the team. I loved working with him.
“That was Financial Fair Play hitting us, so we had to lose Maxi at the moment. I think it was probably his time to leave for him as well.
“And then, of course, you are looking to replace a player who was a difference maker and you can never go like for like, I don’t know another Allan Saint-Maximin with his qualities, so you have to find someone different.”
It made sense for Newcastle to sell Saint-Maximin
Saint-Maximin was not as important to Newcastle United under Eddie Howe, but he was still incredibly valuable. And he still continued to impress – the difference was he suddenly had more teammates who were also capable of amazing things.
In the end, it made sense for ASM to leave. He was our only proper saleable asset, and Newcastle needed an injection of cash. It was not a reflection of his performances, which were often out of this world.
But now Howe has something different in Gordon and Barnes. He has two players that are decisive in the final third, and that is reflected by their numbers. Gordon has got 22 goal contributions in all competitions this season, while Barnes has got seven.
The post 'We had to': Eddie Howe now shares what he really thought about Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle United appeared first on Geordie Boot Boys.