It’s Al up in the air for Toon
THE only thing on the Toon Army’s mind at the moment is the future of maverick Newcastle winger Allan Saint-maximin.
Saint-maximin admitted on Instagram last week that he had become frustrated with his lack of starts last season.
He warned: “I am now entering the turning point of my career.”
Lee Clark, one of Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ from the 90s, can relate to the dilemma both player and club are experiencing.
Clark (below) said: “I don’t know what is going to happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if he left and it’s the same if he stayed.
“Eddie Howe would love to keep him because you want your bench to be as strong as your starting 11.
“It’s great if you’ve got a weapon like Saint-maximin to come on for the last 30 minutes. But would the player be happy with this?
“If you are a professional working hard all week – and I hear that Saintmaximin is no problem and gets on with his work – then every time you play only a bit part it becomes frustrating.
“No amount of money will compensate for sitting on the bench. They want a career.”
Newcastle have a history of maverick crowd favourites such as ‘Jinky’ Jimmy Smith, Laurent Robert, Hatem Ben Arfa and David Ginola.
Clark said: “John Beresford, who played behind David Ginola, had to take on a bit of extra work defensively but did it because we knew David could be a matchwinner.
“If you are someone like Saint-maximin you have to deliver with the ball.
“With the Financial Fair Play that Newcastle are adhering to, if they can bring in a substantial amount of money for a player who isn’t currently a main starter, but who would still command a big fee and help them reinvest, then that’s a possibility for them to look at.”