Allan Saint-Maximin may well have played a part for Newcastle United this season.

While the Frenchman was rarely a regular under Eddie Howe last season, the Newcastle boss has stressed he didn’t want to lose the winger to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

Saint-Maximin remains a vocal supporter of Howe’s team, who do not exactly miss him right now.

Though the season has been pretty difficult at times, there can be few questions about Newcastle’s firepower. Only the Premier League’s top three have scored more goals this season, after all.

Harvey Barnes, who effectively replaced Saint-Maximin last summer, has already scored four times the goals the Frenchman managed last season (4 to 1) and is only behind on two assists (3 to 5) despite missing much of the campaign due to a freakish foot injury.

Sadly for Saint-Maximin, things aren’t going to plan for the PIF owned club he’s currently playing for.

They sit third in the Saudi Pro League, 25 points off leaders Al Hilal.

As a result, one fan hit out on social media and Saint-Maximin duly responded.

Former Newcastle hero Allan Saint-Maximin has apologised to Al-Ahli fans

One fan reacted to their 2-1 loss to Al Riyadh by writing on X (formerly Twitter): “This fans that supports you everywhere is very sad at the shameful level. We deserve more and more from you. We deserve you fighting for us. This club is all we have in this life”

Saint-Maximin then responded: “I know brother, I’m sorry for this, we will try to get better, by God’s will.”

How many goals has Allan Saint-Maximin scored for Al-Ahli?

Though ten assists in 29 appearances across all competitions this season is a pretty decent return, Saint-Maximin will surely be disappointed by having scored only four goals in that process.

With all due respect to the Saudi Pro League, a player of the Frenchman’s quality in attacking areas should be doing better than that.

A harsh judgement perhaps but Saint-Maximin has done little to prove Howe wrong in having sacrificed him for Barnes.

Thanks for the memories, Allan, but the time was right to leave.

Related Topics