Allan Saint-Maximin has been discussing January reports linking him with a late move to AC Milan, accepting that clubs “see it as an opportunity” when a player is not getting regular game time.
Speaking to The Chronicle, the Frenchman insisted that he was “very proud to be here”, but is eager to get more first team football.
Our 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday saw him make his first Premier League start in five months. Injuries have played a part in that, however, it’s clear from today’s quotes that the winger won’t settle for a place on the sidelines for too much longer.
The 25-year-old seems understanding of his lack of game time while the team has been winning and accepts he can’t be a nice guy when he plays and a negative influence when he doesn’t, yet it’s quite telling that he states, “I don’t play football to be on the bench.”
With Anthony Gordon arriving and Joelinton preferred to the former Nice star in recent months, I do wonder if it’s the beginning of the end for Allan Saint-Maximin at St James’ Park. It’s fair to say the next few months could be defining.
Here’s what Saint-Maximin had to say when asked about those AC Milan rumours:
“I will be honest, I’m not going to lie, when you are in that situation a lot of teams can see it (like Milan). A lot of teams see it as an opportunity to come and buy the player.
“But I am very proud to be here and the most important thing for me is to play. And I will always try to be in a position where I play every game.
“I don’t play football to be on the bench. But you know sometimes you have to understand the situation.
“As I said, when I was in the team they didn’t lose games and I did my job. When I was available the team were doing well and not losing games.
“You need to understand that. For sure, if we lose two games and I stay on the bench I will never accept that situation.
“When the team does well though and when you love the players you can’t be a nice guy when you play, then not very nice when you don’t.
“I am not like that. I believe a lot in God and that’s why when I didn’t play I prayed for the team because finally we were together.
“And if we get to the Champions League – we are going there together. So that’s the most important thing.”
