He can track back to help his team as well as push forward
David Ginola – but in the last three league games Saint-Maximin has been busting a gut.
He is not only attempting to win the ball more often but is actually doing so – statistics showing the Frenchman has won 56.2% of defensive duels throughout the season with the number increasing over time.
Against Sheffield United and Bournemouth we saw the important defensive tool Saint-Maximin has to relieve the pressure - picking the ball up and running.
There were several examples in which Saint-Maximin is back on the edge of his box and he either gets a foot in or forces the attacker to change direction before picking the ball up and running towards the opposition half.
Against Bournemouth, with Newcastle 2-0 up and comfortable, Saint-Maximin is back helping out
Emil Krafth. He slides in on Danjuma who is slowed up before Jonjo Shelvey gets a foot in and SaintMaximin has the ball at his feet.
The winger then drives forward – and goes from the edge of his own box to the other.
Against Sheffield United, in a similar position, he wins a header and runs forward - and although he loses out to Enda Stevens he sticks with him, wins the ball back and carries on his attack, setting Miguel Almiron pff towards goal.
If there were worries over SaintMaximin’s willingness to track back it appears they were unfounded, as are fears if you ask him to help out defensively you remove his potency.
If anything, Saint-Maximin seems to be flourishing in a role helping out the full-backs. It allows him to pick the ball up and do what he is best at – running into space and defenders.