Newcastle United’s summer transfer business is starting to come under scrutiny, with growing questions surrounding the £55 million deal for Anthony Elanga.
The young winger arrived from Nottingham Forest with big expectations after a brilliant campaign at the City Ground, but his performances since moving to St. James’ Park have been far from convincing.
Elanga’s move was meant to be a statement of intent. Newcastle saw him as a dynamic, Premier League-proven forward who could inject pace and creativity into Eddie Howe’s attacking setup.
His record of six goals and twelve assists for Forest made him one of the most exciting young players in the league, and many believed he would quickly adapt to Newcastle’s high-tempo style. However, things haven’t gone according to plan.
After thirteen appearances in a black-and-white shirt, Elanga has yet to score a goal and has registered only one assist. For a player signed for such a hefty fee, these numbers are difficult to ignore.
While statistics alone don’t tell the full story, they often reflect a player’s confidence and contribution on the pitch. Unfortunately, Elanga’s impact so far has been minimal, and questions are being asked about whether Newcastle have spent wisely.
What makes matters worse for Elanga is the contrast between his form and that of Jacob Murphy. Murphy, who has often been used as a rotational option, continues to impress whenever he plays. In just ten appearances, he’s scored once and created three assists, despite playing almost ninety minutes fewer than Elanga this season.
His energy, direct running, and willingness to take risks in the final third have made him a key contributor when Newcastle have needed inspiration.
Murphy’s recent goal in the 2-1 win over Fulham only highlighted the difference in productivity between the two wingers.
His sharpness and ability to make things happen in crucial moments have piled the pressure on Elanga, who seems to be struggling to find his rhythm. Supporters have noticed the contrast, and some are beginning to wonder if the club may have been too hasty in spending so heavily on a player still trying to prove his consistency.
To put things in perspective, Elanga doesn’t have the same excuse as some of Newcastle’s other new signings like Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw.
Both are still adapting to the pace and physicality of English football after moving from abroad, and Howe has emphasized patience with them.
Elanga, on the other hand, already had over 120 Premier League appearances before joining Newcastle. He was expected to adapt quickly and deliver immediate results.
Eddie Howe, however, remains publicly supportive. The Newcastle boss insists that Elanga has all the qualities needed to succeed and that he just needs more time to adapt to the club’s system.
“I am really excited about Anthony’s future,” Howe said recently. “He has all the qualities we need. Sometimes it takes players time to understand what we do here, but in the long run, it’s worth the wait.”
Despite Howe’s backing, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to overlook Elanga’s struggles. His decision-making in the final third often lacks conviction, and his composure in front of goal has deserted him.
During Newcastle’s recent defeat to Brighton, he was substituted at halftime after a frustrating display that offered little threat to the opposition.
In midweek, Howe preferred to use Harvey Barnes as Murphy’s replacement against Benfica, another sign that Elanga’s place in the pecking order may already be under threat.
With Newcastle preparing to face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, Elanga’s next few performances could prove crucial. If he continues to falter, he risks slipping further down the list of attacking options. For a £55 million signing, that would be a huge disappointment for both player and club.
Newcastle fans are known for their patience and loyalty, but they also expect effort and progress. Right now, Elanga seems to be struggling to deliver either.
While it’s too early to write him off completely, the reality is that big-money transfers come with big expectations. If his poor form continues, Newcastle might soon be forced to admit that their expensive summer gamble hasn’t paid off.
In football, time can often turn things around. Elanga has the raw ability, speed, and work rate to succeed, but he must start converting potential into performance. Otherwise, that £55 million price tag will become an uncomfortable reminder of a deal that simply didn’t live up to the hype.
