Sean Longstaff has been full of praise for Newcastle teammate Allan Saint-Maximin ahead of the game with Watford.
The Magpies are looking for their first win of the season, and will need the Frenchman at his best to get a result.
Saint-Maximin has been sensational so far this season, scoring two goals and providing an assist in the opening five games. While Newcastle have been poor on the whole, the 24-year-old has often been unstoppable.
His goal against Leeds was another stunning solo effort, dancing past defenders before firing low past Illan Meslier.
His dribbling ability is his biggest asset – sometimes it looks impossible to get the ball off him.
Longstaff agrees, and thinks he might be the best player in the Premier League when it comes to running with the ball.
“When we’re at our best we’ve got probably in Maxi, we’ve got probably the best dribbler in the Premier League and one of the most dangerous players,” Longstaff told the club’s official website.
“So we know if we can get him in the right areas against some of their defenders we know we can create chances.”
Is Saint-Maximin the best dribbler in the Premier League?
The stats don’t lie. So far this season only Adama Traore has completed more dribbles than the Newcastle number 10.
Saint-Maximin has attempted 35 and completed 22. In comparison, Traore has attempted 57 and completed 49.
The Wolves speed merchant is way ahead in the dribbling stats, but his end product is nowhere to be seen. While Saint-Maximin has three goal contributions so far, Traore has zero.
Traore is much more direct. He uses his speed and strength to burst past players. Saint-Maximin is less erratic, using flicks and tricks to entertain the Toon Army.
With goals and assists going alongside the skill, Saint-Maximin truly is one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League. He’s certainly one of the most exciting.
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