Anthony Elanga arrived at Newcastle United with big expectations and a £55 million price tag, but so far, his move hasn’t gone according to plan.
The young winger, once seen as one of the Premier League’s most promising wide talents, is struggling to find his rhythm under Eddie Howe. In eleven appearances this season, he has yet to score or assist, a disappointing statistic for a player brought in to add pace, flair, and goals to Newcastle’s front line.
While that number doesn’t tell the full story Elanga has created chances that his teammates failed to finish it still highlights a deeper issue.
The Swede is playing without confidence. Saturday’s 2–1 defeat to Brighton summed up his struggles. His performance lacked sharpness, and he offered little threat in attack before being substituted at halftime.
Jacob Murphy, who replaced him, immediately looked more effective and energetic, raising questions about whether Elanga should be taken out of the starting lineup for a while.
Eddie Howe has built a reputation for transforming players. Under his management, several stars like Joelinton, Fabian Schär, and Miguel Almirón have gone from underperforming to key contributors.
Elanga might need that same touch of Howe’s magic. At just 23, he’s still young enough to rediscover his spark, but the manager needs to make the right call before his confidence drops even further.
Elanga himself remains optimistic. He has spoken about his belief that his form can “explode” at Newcastle once everything clicks.
After all, he recorded 11 assists in the Premier League last season and showed that he can be a consistent creator when in form. But so far, that explosiveness hasn’t been visible.
Against Brighton, he looked uncertain and disconnected from the flow of the game. He completed 13 of his 14 passes, which suggests he kept possession well, but none of those passes created a chance.
He didn’t record a single shot, successful dribble, or cross. With just 20 touches in 45 minutes, he struggled to influence the match in any meaningful way.
Sometimes, stepping out of the spotlight is the best way for a player to rebuild. Taking Elanga out of the starting lineup doesn’t mean giving up on him it means giving him time to regroup and reset.
Murphy’s strong cameo at the Amex Stadium showed that Newcastle have capable alternatives, and with the busy schedule ahead, rotation is inevitable. Giving Elanga a breather could help him rediscover the confidence and instinct that once made him such a bright prospect.
Eddie Howe faces a delicate decision. On one hand, he must show faith in his £55 million signing. On the other, he can’t afford to let a struggling player hold back the team, especially when points are at a premium.
The next match, against Benfica, could be the perfect opportunity for Murphy to start, while Elanga watches from the bench and learns. Sometimes observing from the sidelines gives a player the clarity they need to come back stronger.
There’s still hope for Elanga. He has the pace, work ethic, and intelligence to thrive in Howe’s system. His problem right now is more mental than physical.
Newcastle’s attack, apart from Nick Woltemade, hasn’t been firing on all cylinders either, so he’s far from the only one underperforming. Once the team as a whole finds its rhythm again, the chances and confidence should return.
Behind the scenes, Newcastle are even considering other tactical options. One name reportedly discussed as a future alternative is Yoane Wissa, the DR Congo international who has been impressive for Brentford on the left flank.
While Wissa is more accustomed to playing on the opposite side, his pace, power, and direct style could make him an interesting option for Newcastle’s right wing.
He’s expected to return from a knee injury by mid-November, and his comeback could influence Howe’s attacking plans moving forward.
For now, though, the focus is on helping Elanga rediscover himself. Howe’s track record with player development offers plenty of optimism.
With the right guidance and patience, Elanga’s belief that he can “explode” in black and white may yet come true.
But that explosion won’t happen overnight it’ll take careful management, time on the training pitch, and perhaps a short spell out of the firing line to remind him of the player he can truly be.
Newcastle supporters have seen this story before. Under Eddie Howe, players written off as underwhelming have come back stronger, sharper, and more determined.
Anthony Elanga still has the tools to become one of them but for that to happen, his manager must act quickly and decisively.
