During those dreadful years, there was a glim of light that kept hope down the Tyneside – Allan Saint-Maximin, who has been the epitome of Newcastle United for a while now and if you walk down the Barrack Road and ask anyone about him… you’d feel a sense of magic, admiration, and excitement. That’s what he has meant to Newcastle fans over the years, bringing smile on the faces of many except them full-backs that had to sprint full-fuel while Saint-Maximin was running down the wing…
He has always had a knack for turning games around and providing excitement for the supporters, and that complemented by love he has shown for Newcastle badge makes his exit a bit more emotional. It would have been lovely having him don that badge in the Champions League next season after he dragged the club through trenches for years. He is someone that has the capacity to pull a rabbit out of the hat when everyone has given up hope and he has well done so as well for quite a while now.
With new era, comes this sense of being ruthless to get to the top and that means you have to say goodbye to a few and hello to some more while there is a sense of leveling up going on around the squad. And summers come and go and he was linked with a move away from Newcastle but there was always a sense of hope that Allan would stay, that hope has materialsed every time but not now, now it looks like he’s off…
Allan Saint-Maximin’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli inches closer with a part of his medical already been concluded and announcement expected anytime now. Contract expected until 2026, and for Newcastle – they receive €35m which will be an important accounting incoming for FFP purposes.
“But sometimes these things have to happen for the club to grow and for Allan to experience something different.” – Eddie Howe
And *switches on the lights in a dark room and Netflix-esque beats stop* Harvey Barnes is here…
When the stakes are high, when you are competing at the highest of the levels – consistency is needed, more like demanded. You need to come out every three days and play with a sense of making something happen, as an individual and as a team. And that is where Newcastle and Eddie Howe wants to be and compete come next season and beyond. Selling Allan Saint-Maximin can just be showcasing that…
What Newcastle lose in flairs and magic, they replace in reliability and energy in Harvey Barnes. Barnes has been that consistent presence for Leicester City for a while now and with the Foxes getting relegated, it opened up an opportunity for Newcastle to knock on. This season you will see a Harvey biking down the wing on full gas non-stop donning that Newcastle badge.
As Eddie Howe points out, “intensity is our identity” and his second summer singing is just the right man for such shibboleth. And it’s not just in attack, mind you, Harvey Barnes is as content in defence.
And #BendItLikeBarnes has hit the ground running already, not in terms of goals just yet – but showcasing that intent after coming on against Aston Villa in Newcastle’s recent pre-season friendly in US of A.
“I am ready to hit the ground running,” Harvey Barnes said when he signed and he certainly proved his readiness as soon as he stepped off the plane and onto the pitch. Making his debut as a substitute, he wasted no time in showcasing his skills. Without skipping a beat, he darted down the wing and cut inside, demonstrating his determination and speed. At a club that is eager to progress quickly, this young man fits right in, setting the pace at a frenetic level from the very beginning… just like its time for new beginnings at St. James Park!
