Newcastle United's English midfielder #41 Jacob Ramsey celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English midfielder #41 Jacob Ramsey celebrates scoring the team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United paid a combined £94million to sign Anthony Elanga and Jacob Ramsey last summer.
The Magpies spent around £250million on new signings last summer, £94m of which went towards recruiting Elanga from Nottingham Forest and Ramsey from Aston Villa.
It’s taken over half a season for them to really get going, but both players have achieved significant milestones in the past seven days by scoring their first goal for the club.
Elanga netted a brilliant solo goal in last Wednesday’s 3-1 Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg defeat to Manchester City, while Ramsey was on hand to earn the Magpies a massive three points in North London on Tuesday night with a clever first-time finish with his left foot.
Why Newcastle United signed Jacob Ramsey & Anthony Elanga
Recent signs are encouraging, but Eddie Howe is aware the pair still have a lot to prove before being labelled a success, or even a failure.
“The idea behind the signings is they're good ages,” Howe said after the Spurs win. “They'll only get better. They're really good athletes. They've got pace and the legs that we feel are really important, especially the way the Premier League's going.
“It's only getting quicker and quicker and the demands are getting greater, so I'm really enthusiastic about what their future can look like here.
“Of course, time will tell. We need to give them time and the patience to develop. I keep saying that the lack of training has slowed their development, but I think they're beginning to feel at home in the team.
“I think once you feel part of it and you feel integral to how the team plays, I think you can only get better.”
Eddie Howe on Jacob Ramsey’s ‘excellent’ performance v Spurs
Speaking about Ramsey’s display individually, Howe said: “I think that was a really good performance from JJ, Joe Willock, Bruno [Guimaraes] in our midfield. I thought we were really, really good in there. I thought we showed good energy, really good control.
“JJ was excellent, takes the ball in any moment, takes the ball under pressure and is really reliable with it. In that position you need to score. I thought it was a great finish from him with his left foot.
“A fitting reward really because I think he has improved. I think his performances have been getting slowly better and stronger. I think he's a really talented player and I'm delighted for him.”
Jacob Ramsey reflects on start to life at Newcastle United
Ramsey now returns to former club Villa on Saturday evening full of confidence.
"It's been a while,” Ramsey said on his goal. “I have been playing in different positions and the manager is demanding that I get my numbers up. Thankfully, I got my goal today. I knew I was in the box and instinctively was left-footed and yeah, good finish.
"It has been tough. I like to think I am a box-to-box midfielder scoring goals. It was just pure emotion and it was great to celebrate.
"I got injured in my first start, out for two months. I needed to build back fitness. I am feeling good and fit and just want to stay in the team and keep scoring goals and helping the team out."
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