The journey of a high-profile transfer is rarely a straight line toward success, and for Anthony Elanga, the road at Newcastle United has been particularly winding. Since his arrival on Tyneside for a substantial £55 million fee last summer, the Swedish international has found himself under a microscope.
When a club invests that kind of capital, the expectation for an immediate impact is sky-high. However, the first half of the season proved to be a challenging period for the winger, as he struggled to find his rhythm and cement a regular place in Eddie Howe’s starting eleven. Critics were quick to question the price tag, but recent weeks have seen a dramatic shift in the narrative.
The turning point seems to have arrived during a difficult away fixture at Manchester City. Although the match resulted in a loss for the Magpies, it served as the backdrop for Elanga’s first goal in a black-and-white shirt. While it was technically a consolation goal, the manner in which it was scored spoke volumes about the talent the recruitment team saw in him.
Receiving the ball in a position that looked relatively harmless, Elanga showed a burst of pace to dart between two defenders before unleashing a clinical, curling finish with his left foot. It was a moment of individual brilliance that hinted at a player finally finding his footing in a new environment.
Eddie Howe has been vocal about his delight regarding Elanga’s recent progress. The Newcastle boss has consistently defended his player, noting that the “highlights” of Elanga’s performances throughout the season have always shown a player with immense dynamic potential.
Howe pointed out that Elanga is naturally direct and incredibly quick, traits that are essential for the way Newcastle wants to attack. The goal against Manchester City wasn’t just a statistic; it was a reward for the hard work the winger has put in behind the scenes. The hope now is that this goal acts as a catalyst, lifting Elanga’s self-belief and allowing him to contribute more consistently as the season reaches its business end.
The timing of Elanga’s resurgence couldn’t be better for the club. As Newcastle prepares for a crucial Premier League clash against Brentford at St James’ Park, the squad is facing a significant injury crisis. Anthony Gordon, who has been a standout performer this season, is considered a major doubt for the weekend.
This opens the door for Elanga to make his first start at home in over two months. For a player who was brought in to be the primary option on the right wing, this is a golden opportunity to prove he belongs in the long-term vision of the club.
The broader conversation at Newcastle remains centered on squad depth and the physical toll of a relentless fixture schedule. By early February, the team has already played the equivalent of an entire Premier League season, totaling 38 matches across all competitions.
This grueling pace has led to a revolving door in the medical room. Howe has reflected on the difficulty of finding the perfect balance in squad size. If a squad is too large, maintaining harmony becomes a struggle; if it is too small, a few injuries can derail an entire campaign. Newcastle has found itself in the latter category recently, particularly with multiple injuries hitting the same positions.
| Position | Player Status for Brentford Match |
| Defense | Fabian Schar (Out), Tino Livramento (Out), Emil Krafth (Out) |
| Midfield | Joelinton (Out), Bruno Guimaraes (Doubt), Lewis Miley (Doubt) |
| Attack | Anthony Gordon (Doubt), Jacob Murphy (Available) |
The defensive line and the midfield have been hit the hardest. Heading into the Brentford game, the Magpies will likely be without Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, and Emil Krafth, leaving the backline looking thin. In the middle of the park, the absence of Joelinton is a heavy blow, while the club is sweating on the fitness of Bruno Guimaraes and the young talent Lewis Miley.
When key players are missing for extended periods, the tactical flexibility of the team is tested to its limit. This is why the emergence of players like Elanga is so vital. They aren’t just depth; they need to be difference-makers.
Despite the setbacks, Howe remains adamant that the squad is strong enough when a “full bill of health” is available. The challenge is navigating the periods when that isn’t the case.
For Elanga, the mission is clear: he must take the momentum from his impressive cameo against Manchester City and translate it into a dominant performance in front of the home fans. St James’ Park is a stadium that feeds off direct, exciting wing play, and if Elanga can replicate the bravery he showed at the Etihad, he will quickly win over any remaining doubters.
As the Magpies prepare to walk out on Saturday, the focus will be on whether they can stop their recent slide and find a way to win despite the missing faces. With Jacob Murphy also back and available to provide competition, the pressure is on Elanga to secure his spot.
If he can continue to use his speed to stretch defenses and find that clinical edge in the final third, he might just be the “unleashed” force that Newcastle needs to climb back up the table. The journey hasn’t been easy, but for Anthony Elanga and Eddie Howe, the best chapters of this season may still be unwritten.
