‘Adored’ ASM is the Real deal – Jonjo

NEWCASTLE United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has the ability to play for teams like Real Madrid.

That is the verdict of his Magpies’ team-mate Jonjo Shelvey, who has gushed over the talents of the dazzling Frenchman.

Saint-Maximin has given Premier League defenders nightmares since making the move to Newcastle from Nice in the summer of 2019.

His pace, power and trickery while dribbling with the ball has made him one of the most feared attackers at St James’ Park for many years and he is ‘adored’ by the Toon Army.

However, a number of injuries, as well as question marks over his end product at times, have prevented him from joining the elite in terms of his goals and assists output.

There is a belief once that clicks for Saint-Maximin, though, his potential in the game is boundless. Certainly Shelvey believes he has the ability to play for arguably the biggest football club in the world in the future.

“He is different gravy,” the former Liverpool and Swansea man said. “You can just give him the ball and sometimes he holds on to it for way too long but, honestly, he is unbelievable.

“He has the ability to play for Real Madrid and teams like that, without a doubt.

“He has been unlucky with his hamstrings and things like that.

“He is loved up here. He is absolutely adored up here. He is a flair player and he can just turn a game on its head.”

The Magpies are sweating over Saint-Maximin’s fitness after he was went off with a groin injury in Saturday night’s 1-1 draw with Wolves.

The 23-year-old underwent a scan on Sunday to decipher the extent of the injury ahead of a crucial run of fixtures in Newcastle’s battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.