Ex-Newcastle trickster Allan Saint-Maximin attempts rainbow flick – but it's a disaster
The Saudi Pro League has been viewed as a chance for elite players to earn high wages playing at a lower standard, but one baller's moves - or lack thereof - suggested he's the one lacking
It's good to see Allan Saint-Maximin has stayed true to his ways since leaving Newcastle last summer.
The Frenchman was often hit-and-miss in his methods at St. James' Park despite possession outrageous speed and skill. In his four years on English soil, the 26-year-old would often follow up displays of outrageous skill with maddening moments as a Magpie.
And those same methods are still alive and well for the player, even in his current deployment at Al-Ahli. The Saudi Pro League outfit met Chinese Super League outfit Wuhan Three Towns on Saturday when fans got to see Saint-Maximin at his best – and worst.
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One particular patch of profligacy saw the winger attempt to outwit two of his markers with an audacious rainbow flick over their heads. But instead, his would-be skill sputtered out before it even had a chance to get going, with Saint-Maximin racing to meet a ball that would never have arrived at its destination.
"Man thought he was Jay-Jay Okocha," wrote one spectator contrasting the calamity against Nigeria's skill legend. Another replied: "No way he wanted to pull up a Neymar skill."
A third viewer laughed: "Looks like something I tried back in school." Others used Saudi Arabia's low football attendances as cause to spare the player's blushes, as one wrote: "The seven people in the stands weren't even paying attention, so it's all good."
Luckily for Saint-Maximin, he saved his own skin by assisting Fahad Al-Rashidi for one of Al-Ahli's goals as they ran out 3-1 friendly winners. His blazing run down the let out the ball on a plate for Saudi Arabia's Al-Rashidi to cap off the victory.
Sumaihan Al-Nabit and ex-Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga were the other scorers to complete the comeback win after Wuhan went ahead early on. In a way, it's nice to see that while a player's club and location may change, some things always stay the same.