Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking openly about summer signing Anthony Elanga ahead of tonight’s Champions League opener at home to Barcelona.
The Swedish international signed for the Magpies in July, completing a £55m move from Nottingham Forest following a superb 2024/25 season at the City ground, delivering six goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
United have been short of depth on right wing since Miguel Almiron returned to Atlanta United in January, seeing Elanga arrive as some much-needed competition for boyhood fan Jacob Murphy, who registered a career high 14 assists and nine goals last term.
Elanga hasn’t started either of our last two games – a 0-0 at Leeds and 1-0 win at home to Wolves – and some fans have commented on his poor final product so far. However, Eddie Howe was quick to defend the Swede in a new interview.
Asked by Lee Ryder if he’s had any ‘difficult conversations’ with the winger after he was benched in our last two games, Howe revealed his delight at how he’s settled in so far, but also reminded fans that he is still understanding the team’s demands and acclimatising to our style of play:
“He’s in a good place, I’ve been really pleased with how he’s integrated himself with the group and how he’s committed to the training we’ve asked him to do.”
“He’s got standout qualities and attributes that we need – similar to Anthony Gordon, he’s got that pace and directness.
“He’s going through a process where he’s trying to understand everything that’s required of him here, which is very different to what was required of him at his former club, where he did really well last season in a slightly different style.
“That acclimatisation will take a period of time, but he’s well on the way to doing that, and I’m delighted with him.”
These quotes from Howe come at a good time, perhaps explaining why he hasn’t started recently and giving some context behind his patchy start to life on Tyneside.
Elanga was on the bench against Wolves on Saturday after a busy international break that saw him start both of Sweden’s games, unlike former Toon teammate Alexander Isak.
This could suggest he is likely to start against Barcelona tonight, where he’ll be looking to make use of his lightning pace against Barca’s notoriously high line.
