Waugh shares what Saint-Maximin always talks to his Newcastle teammates about

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Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin dreams of going to the World Cup with France, but that sadly isn’t going to happen.

The 25-year-old has endured an injury ridden start to the season that looks set to certainly cost him a place on the plane to Qatar.

Saint-Maximin hasn’t started for Newcastle since August 28th. He scored a stunner on that day, with his outrageous volley winning the Magpies a point against Wolves.

That game came after the 3-3 draw with Manchester City, where the Frenchman was at his scintillating best. Saint-Maximin was unstoppable, and was the best player on the pitch by a long way.

It was an exceptional performance, but injury has meant that he hasn’t been able to build on it. In turn, it means that Saint-Maximin has no chance of being named in the France squad for the World Cup.

That will be a real blow to the Newcastle number 10, especially given what the Athletic’s Chris Waugh has said about his international aspirations.

Waugh on Saint-Maximin’s France dream

On the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, Waugh spoke about Saint-Maximin not going to the World Cup.

“I think he probably needs Didier Deschamps to move on as head coach if he’s going to have a chance as he’s probably the least Didier Deschamps player out there,” Waugh said.

“It’s a goal of his. It’s something that’s been a driving force behind him. He speaks about it a lot to players behind the scenes.

“Fitness has worked against him this year. But if he can replicate anything like the form he showed against Man City early on in the season on a semi-regular basis then, even given the talent France has, it will be difficult for them to overlook him too long.”

Consistency required from ASM

Even if he had been fit, it would have taken a string of sensational performances for Deschamps to call up ASM. As Waugh says, he doesn’t really fit the style of what the France manager is looking for.

But regardless, Saint-Maximin will be disappointed that he has missed out on the chance to play his way into contention.

Injury has derailed his season, and robbed him of the opportunity to achieve the dream that he keeps talking to his Toon teammates about.

Hopefully he can use it as motivation, and it can drive him on to produce his best in a black and white shirt. That is the only thing that will earn him international recognition.

If he can perform well on a consistent basis and keep himself fit, surely a France callup will eventually come. That has to be the goal for 2023, as the end of 2022 is not going to plan.

Saint-Maximin made his return off the bench in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa. Hopefully this is the end of his injury woes and he can start to perform like we know he can.