Charlotte FC's Newly Reported Signing: Breaking down Allan Saint-Maximin's game

By Andrew Crowell - @ajc10_11

Fabrizio Romano reported that French international Allan Saint-Maximin (ASM), a 29-year-old winger who spent the last six months at Lens in the French Ligue 1, will sign a three-year deal with Charlotte FC. While with Lens, he played 32% of possible minutes, netting three goals and three assists in 10 matches in the league. Additionally, he contributed one goal in three Coupe de France (The French Federation cup) matches.

Over the last few years, Saint-Maximin has found himself playing all over the world. A cult favorite for Newcastle United supporters from 2019-2023, he eventually departed the Premier League for Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli for a fee of 27 million euros. His Saudi venture did not last long, even with 14 G/A in 30 appearances. In the summer of 2024, he was loaned out to Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahçe, making 31 appearances and contributing nine G/A. Following the end of his loan deal, Al-Ahli opted to sell the skilled winger. Club Amèrica came calling with a fee of 10.3 million euros to sign the winger, beginning his short stint in Mexico. He left the club in January of this year after posting on social media, speaking out against racist abuse of his children while in Mexico. Following the post, Club América and Saint-Maximin agreed to mutually terminate his contract. 

As far as style of play, Saint-Maximin established himself in the Premier League as a flashy winger with lots of speed and 1-v-1 ability. He challenges defenders, forcing them to stand their ground and keep him in front of them. As far as goal contributions, over the last five years, he has been steadily averaging about 0.5 goals and assists per 90 minutes (per fbref.com). But since January for Lens, he has averaged 1.32 goals and assists per 90 minutes. 

Saint-Maximin’s statistics this season compare with recent Charlotte FC wingers, including Liel Abada, Kerwin Vargas, and the man he was signed to replace, Wilfried Zaha. From a shooting perspective, all four players have very similar shots on target per 90 and goals per shot on target. What stands out in the shooting stats is ASM’s lowly 26.9% shot on target percentage, compared to Wilfried Zaha and Kerwin Vargas, who both have around a 50% shot on target percentage.

Although his shot on target percentage is lower, he is also taking more shots per 90 than Zaha, Vargas, and Abada. If he can continue to shoot the ball but improve his accuracy, Charlotte should have a new goalscoring threat from the left wing. 

Outside of goalscoring, Saint-Maximin provides an attacking threat with his previously noted speed and dribbling. Per FotMob, he ranks in the 98th percentile of similar players in his position in terms of both chances created and shots taken. Also of note are his 84th percentile ranking for touches and 92nd percentile for goals.

Meanwhile, in these same statistics, Zaha is lacking in the 27th percentile in chances created, 82nd percentile of touches, 43rd percentile of shot attempts, and 69th percentile for goals.

Being 29, his age profile also sets up well for short and long-term from a Charlotte perspective, as long as he can deliver results consistently, which has been a struggle for him at times.

If Saint-Maximin can produce consistently, then the Crown will have landed itself a long-term star winger on a free transfer. If he struggles with consistency, then Charlotte will be on the hook for three years, similar to the Abada situation the club is dealing with currently.