Newcastle United quickly need to work out how to get a tune out of Anthony Elanga.
The 23-year-old is enduring a difficult run of form with his new club, having failed to hit the ground running since becoming one of Newcastle United’s most expensive signings ever.
The £55million man was brought in to have an immediate impact, but that has not happened. Anthony Elanga was poor against Brighton on Saturday, while he also struggled in the Magpies’ game against his former side Nottingham Forest.
Elanga has excelled in the Champions League, but that has been as good as it has got for a player who looks incredibly short of confidence in a black and white shirt.
Newcastle United plan to put an arm around Anthony Elanga
That is something that Newcastle United must rectify, and a new report from the Daily Mail suggests that the club know exactly what to do with their struggling winger.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United sources believe that the Sweden international needs ‘an arm around the shoulder’ rather than proverbial kick up the backside.
The suggestion is that Elanga needs support and encouragement rather than tough love, as the Magpies attempt to get the best out of their big money signing.
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It took a long time for Eddie Howe to get the right winger he was looking for. Bryan Mbeumo was a top target, but Elanga also looked like a perfect fit for this Newcastle United squad.
That can still prove to be the case, as not every Toon signing hits the ground running in the same way that Nick Woltemade or Malick Thiaw has. It can take time to adapt to Howe’s style, and there will be confidence within the club that Elanga will get there eventually.
Anthony Elanga runs with the ball during Brighton vs Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Eddie Howe doubles down as he backs Anthony Elanga to improve
After Newcastle’s defeat to Brighton, Eddie Howe praised Elanga despite a disappointing performance.
The Newcastle United manager then doubled down on that praise on Monday, once again speaking highly of the speedster to the media ahead of the Magpies’ Champions League clash with Benfica.
“Anthony is an outstanding player and I have no doubt about his long-term qualities for the team,” he said.
“There is a settling-in period for him that he’s going through. He’s having to make slight adjustments to his game.
“If you look back at a highlight reel of what he’s delivered, he’s put some great crosses in, albeit no direct goal outputs. That’s not all down to his contribution, we should have scored from some of them. But I think he’s got a lot more to give and I’ve got no doubt about his success.”
Following Howe’s words, it will be interesting to see if Elanga retains his place in the Toon starting XI on Tuesday night. Geordie Boot Boys’predicted Newcastle United starting lineup sees the ex-Manchester United player drop to the bench in place of Jacob Murphy.