Newcastle may have succumbed to a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday but two Magpies players caught the eye of former England and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
Redknapp was working for Sky Sports at the Emirates Stadium as Steve Bruce's side's second half collapse saw them succumb to a first defeat since New Year's Day.
But despite the manner of the defeat, both Allan Saint-Maximin - who Redknapp has previously dubbed as a potential 'superstar' - and Bentaleb, won praise from the former Tottenham and Southampton star.
When asked if he is seeing Newcastle develop under Bruce, Redknapp replied: "Yeah, I am.
"I think Bentaleb is going to be a good signing. He is a good player who has played at the top level with Tottenham and in the Champions League.
"But Saint-Maximin is the player who excites me most in this Newcastle squad.
"He is hit and miss but he can do special things. When he cuts inside and if he bends that one in at 2-0 it is a different game.
"You want something different and, of course, you want more from [Miguel] Almiron but I am sure Steve will be delighted with 31 points at this stage of the season. They will be fine."
