ASM has lost ‘trust’ in his team

ALLAN Saint-Maximin has lost ‘trust’ in his Newcastle United team-mates and his agent should push for a relegation release clause, says Darren Ambrose.

The Magpies’ number 10 quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting attackers since signing from Ligue 1 outfit Nice in 2019.

Saint-Maximin’s actions both on and off the pitch have made him a firm fans’ favourite, and the 24-year-old signed a an improved six-year deal in October 2020.

However, the forward warned at the end of last season that he does not want to be involved in another relegation battle, and has outlined his hopes to compete for an international call-up for France.

The takeover has transformed ambitions on Tyneside overnight, but Eddie Howe’s side remain one of the favourites for relegation with just one win recorded in 18 Premier League matches.

Saint-Maximin’s recent displays have been the subject of some discussion among supporters on social media, and former Magpies’ midfielder Darren Ambrose believes he has lost confidence in some of his teammates.

He told talkSPORT: “The problem I have now and what we’re starting to see in Allan Saint-Maximin is it looks like he’s starting to lose trust in his teammates a little bit.

“It might have been against Brentford that he had an unbelievably mazy dribble and he laid it off to Joelinton, who missed an easy chance and should have scored.

“I think something has clicked in his head, and in the Man City game at the weekend...it was frustration. He didn’t seem to be passing a lot.”

Ambrose is confident SaintMaximin will remain at St James’ Park until the end of the season, with the new owners now being in a position to resist any lucrative approaches.

But even though the forward is committed to a long-term deal, the talkSPORT commentator believes his agent should push for a new contract to include a ‘get-out’ clause in the event of relegation.

When asked if he would advise Saint-Maximin for a move away, Ambrose added: “No. I would be trying to get a new contract, a lot of money with a get-out clause. You are committing to Newcastle.

“However...you are only committing if they stay up.”