Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy are set to go head to head for a right-wing spot
Anthony Elanga signs for Newcastle United
Anthony Elanga signs for Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy are set to battle it out to become top dog on Newcastle United’s right side this season — with Eddie Howe the big winner.
The Toon boss was desperate to add Sweden international Elanga to his midfield mix after his electric form for Nottingham Forest. The winger completed his transfer to St James' Park last week.
But Howe was just as keen to keep hold of magic man Murphy after the do-it-all winger enjoyed his best season yet in a black and white shirt.
And the stats confirm that Newcastle now boast two standout Premier League stars who can barely be separated when it comes to their goal threat, creativity and energy at both ends of the pitch.
Murphy reinforced his growing reputation as a Magpies cult hero last season on his way to bagging eight goals and 12 assists.
But £55million man Elanga wasn’t far behind as he helped propel Forest into Champions League contention and emerge as the perfect foil for ex-United frontman Chris Wood.
Alexander Isak’s Swedish team-mate netted six times in the top flight and assisted 11 goals for his former club.
And being able to call upon two equally dynamic attacking midfielders can only help Howe’s cause as United look to juggle the demands of the Premier League with a return to the top table of European football.
Significantly Elanga also matched up well with Murphy in terms of his determination to track back and win possession at every opportunity.
Very much in the mould of Murphy — and fitting the Howe blueprint to a tee — the former Manchester United man loves nothing better than recovering the ball and winning it for his team in the attacking third.
According to our stats from the Tyneside-based Seriös One: Football Insights team, Elanga and Murphy are almost identikit players in every respect. There is next to nothing separating the two players, meaning that despite Elanga's arrival for the joint second-highest fee in Newcastle's history, it may not be a foregone conclusion that he starts every game.
Whether Howe has plans to play both men in the same team remains to be seen - but Newcastle have rarely looked so strong down the right in the modern era.
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