NewcastleWorld asked Eddie Howe why Anthony Elanga has struggled to make an impact at Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe believes Anthony Elanga will be an “amazing” player for Newcastle United once he adjusts to the style of play.
Toon chiefs stumped up big money to sign the Swede from Nottingham Forest over the summer. For context, the £55million figure is the same fee Newcastle paid to sign Sandro Tonali in 2023.
However, Elanga - who registered 18 goal contributions last season - has done little so far to justify that price tag. He is yet to score or assist in his opening 16 appearances for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe backs Anthony Elanga
Speaking to NewcastleWorld, Toon boss Howe issued a strong defence of his summer signing. Jacob Murphy was also mentioned as someone who can take the heat off Elanga while he settles in.
“I think he’s just adjusting to a different style of play,” Howe said. “Sometimes that adjustment happens quickly, sometimes it takes a little bit longer with certain players. Anthony is working very, very well. I’m really impressed with his attitude and desire to do well. His focus and professionalism is at the highest quality.
“I really, really back him. I think he’s going to come good and do some amazing things for us. But we’re just taking it slowly with him. While Jacob is playing so well, I don’t see why there’s a big rush. We need to support him, help him and sit back to let him do his stuff.”
Wingers come under scrutiny
Murphy aside, Newcastle’s other three wingers, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Elanga, have not scored or assisted in the Premier League this season. This record was put to Howe and he confessed that his wide players must do more.
“Of course it’s (winger record) a concern for us,” he added. “We want all of our attacking players to be flowing and in a really confident place. Our wingers, historically, have been very good in terms of numbers. It’s a big surprise that those stats are what they are. But I back them - I back all of them. They’re all good players and I don’t see an issue with any quality of the players.
“But I think there’s a whole host of reasons and whenever you look at a pure stat, you can jump to conclusions as to why. I think you have to put a bit of context around it. We’ve done that and we need to now help and support those players to get back to their best. If you asked them all, they’d be saying creating, assisting and scoring, so that’s what we need to do.”
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‘To the next level’ - Anthony Elanga
On arrival, Elanga insisted he moved to Newcastle to develop further under Howe. He told reporters: “(I want to) take my game to a whole new level, which I think I can, especially with the gaffer and the players here. They are going to make me even better.
“So far it has been amazing, and I’m looking forward to playing now. I’m a pacey and direct player. I can play on either side, I can play as a striker.
“I can use both feet. I’ve got lots of weapons to my game. Coming here at this moment in time, it is perfect for my career. What we want to achieve, how we want to play. This season, it’s going to be perfect.”
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