Swedish reviews on Anthony Elanga - Graham Potter praise, but media not so sure

Anthony Elanga was in action for Sweden on Thursday night as they brushed aside Ukraine in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Newcastle United spent £55 million to bring Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest last summer. On paper, it seemed like the perfect signing. He's Premier League-proven, coming off the back of a great season for Forest and has the kind of pace and work rate that fits Eddie Howe's style perfectly.

For whatever reason, though, those qualities he showed so frequently at Nottingham Forest didn't come with him to Newcastle and the Sweden international has struggled to make an impact on Tyneside.

His performances of late have improved, although his end product is still lacking. Despite this, Sweden boss Graham Potter started Elanga as Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 on Thursday night thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres hat-trick.

Graham Potter singled out Elanga in his press conference

Speaking after the game (via FotbolSkanalen), Potter mentioned Elanga and Gyokeres as being at the 'highest level'.

“In Anthony [Elanga] and Viktor [Gyokeres] we have players who are at the highest level when it comes to attacking open spaces.” 

We certainly don't disagree that Elanga is good at attacking open spaces. It's the not-so-open spaces he struggles in, as much as it is what he does when he's got the ball in those spaces that are the problem.

Swedish press was mixed on Elanga's performance

FotbolSkanalen were quite kind with their words on Elanga after the game without being overly full of praise for the Toon winger.

They said: "[Elanga] was elusive with his speed for Ukraine and hit a nice pass to Nygren in connection with the 1-0 goal. Also took the defensive job required to hold tight."

Meanwhile, Expressen would praise Elanga's pace, noting that it gave him a 'huge edge' over his opponents, but complained that they just didn't see enough of it against Ukraine.

Once again, it looks like mixed reviews for the Newcastle winger. It feels like that has been the norm for Elanga of late, but at least mixed reviews are better than the outright negative ones he was picking up in the first half of the season. Progress is progress, we suppose.