The Magpies head coach could make changes to his side for the final seven games of the Premier League season
Newcastle's Tino Livramento and Jacob Murphy celebrate with team-mates
Newcastle's Tino Livramento and Jacob Murphy celebrate with team-mates against Barcelona(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
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You could forgive Jacob Murphy for being somewhat put out by the £55m signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest last July. After all, the Newcastle United winger had just recorded his best season, both in terms of performances and stats.
Murphy, in case anyone needs reminding, contributed 14 assists and nine goals in 41 appearances as the Magpies qualified for the Champions League and lifted the Carabao Cup, in what was a remarkable campaign for the popular star.
Elanga was not intended to necessarily replace him in the the first team but instead offer healthy competition, but if a club pays that much for a new signing then you can be sure they expect him to play regularly.
The reality is Elanga has not matched up to the expectation yet, although recent form has hinted that he is finally getting to grips with life under Eddie Howe on Tyneside.
Two promising performances against Barcelona in the Champions League - including two goals in the Nou Camp - helped persuade Howe to start him in the Tyne-Wear derby, but familiar inconsistencies again raised their heads.
Murphy has not been forgotten, far from it. After all, he captained the side in the 1-0 win at Chelsea earlier this month on what was a proud day for the boyhood Newcastle fan.
However, with seven massive games remaining as United look to push into the European places, the 31-year-old could do worse that pointing out a few salient facts to his head coach.
Data from Squawka show only four players have created more 'big' chances from open play than Murphy in the Premier League this season, with the United star contributing nine.
That's just one behind Man City's Jeremy Doku, Pedro Neto of Chelsea and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers. Ryan Cherki has added 12 for Man City, but all trail Manchester United's talisman Bruno Fernandes, who has a remarkable 19.
Murphy has had a less productive season, with only four goals and four assists, although much of that is down to the lack of a recognised striker, or certainly at least no one to fill Alexander Isak's shoes.
However, that compares favourably to Elanga, who has just one Premier League assist to his name, with another in the Champions League, to add to his three goals.
Elanga is still only 23 and it would be foolish to write him off at this stage, particularly with time on the training ground to develop.
But when it comes to the crunch games, there are plenty of reasons Howe could turn back to Murphy to get the job done in the run-in.
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