Steve Bruce advised Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley that Newcastle United's squad was lacking pace and power during his initial talks with the club in July.
The new head coach wanted a speedy winger to improve United's threat on the break, and in Allan Saint-Maximin he has now been handed exactly that.
Saint-Maximin thrilled fans after coming on as sub against St Etienne but could now start in the opener against Arsenal at the weekend.
Bruce said: "I have already said - what can we expect?
"He will get you off your seat.
"He's got that electrifying pace and he's still only young.
"I'm sure he will drive me crazy at times, I am sure of that, but you can't deny that his electrifying pace.
"Nowadays in the Premier League I think you need it.
"We needed to improve on that significantly in terms of pace and power.
"That is vitally important when you play in the big league.
"The first conversations I had with the club were that it was vitally important to have pace and power at the top end of the pitch.
"That's what the Premier League team is all about.
"All Premier League teams are quick and powerful.
"That end is always the crucial part."
Bruce is satisfied with his side's pre-season programme, despite coming in late and having to readjust the schedule by adding another friendly game to the fixture list.
But he admitted there is plenty of room for improvement, speaking on the last two games at Hibernian and at home to the Ligue 1 side, he said: "We missed too many chances.
"But I am pleased with the whole squad overall.
"They have tried to do what we are implementing.
"It's a difference for them and it's a change but I am pleased."
