Newcastle United’s season continues to drift into uncomfortable territory, and the latest injury blow has only added to the growing sense of frustration around St James’ Park. Dan Burn’s chest injury, picked up during the defeat at Sunderland, is expected to keep him out for up to six weeks.
For Eddie Howe, it is another setback in a campaign that has struggled to find any real rhythm, especially away from home, where results have been particularly poor.
With performances dipping and confidence clearly fragile, attention is starting to shift away from injuries alone and toward recruitment decisions that are not delivering the expected impact. Several players are currently underperforming, but few have attracted as much scrutiny as Anthony Elanga.
Signed in the summer with high expectations, the winger was meant to bring speed, directness and proven Premier League quality to Newcastle’s attack. So far, that promise has not been fulfilled.
Elanga arrived with a strong reputation built during his time at Nottingham Forest. He was viewed as a perfect fit for Howe’s fast, transitional system, offering an outlet on the right flank and an alternative to Jacob Murphy, who had surprisingly grown into an important figure over recent seasons.
Newcastle’s long-standing need for a consistent right-sided attacker seemed finally addressed when the club committed a hefty £55 million fee to secure Elanga’s services.
At just 23 years old, Elanga already had two productive Premier League seasons behind him, scoring 11 goals and providing 20 assists for Forest. Those numbers suggested a player ready to take the next step at a club with European ambitions.
Instead, his Newcastle career has stalled almost immediately. He has yet to score a league goal and has managed only a single assist, numbers that simply do not justify his price tag or the faith placed in him.
His display against Sunderland summed up his struggles. He looked short of confidence, lacked sharpness in key moments, and failed to influence the game when Newcastle needed him most.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville openly described the performance as well below the required standard, a damning assessment that reflects wider concerns among supporters.
While Elanga has been disappointing, he is not alone. Another summer signing, Jacob Ramsey, is quietly becoming an even bigger concern. Newcastle paid £42.5 million to bring the midfielder in from Aston Villa, expecting energy, creativity and depth in central areas.
Instead, Ramsey has struggled to earn Howe’s trust. He has started just two Premier League matches and has often been left unused on the bench, even during periods when the team has clearly needed fresh legs.
The situation raises serious questions about squad planning. Spending such a large fee on a player who currently sits behind Joe Willock in the pecking order feels difficult to justify.
It is even more puzzling when the club is also linked with a potential £100 million move for academy product Elliot Anderson, now flourishing at Nottingham Forest. The lack of a clear hierarchy in midfield is becoming obvious, and it risks stalling progress rather than driving it forward.
Below is a simple snapshot comparing the recent Premier League output of Elanga and Ramsey this season:
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Chances Created per Game | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Elanga | Regular starter | 0 | 1 | Limited impact | Struggling for form and confidence |
| Jacob Ramsey | Mostly substitute | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | Rarely trusted to start |
Analysts have already begun to question the value of these deals. One analyst even suggested Newcastle “wasted their bag” on Ramsey, especially considering his £120,000-a-week wages and limited influence so far.
While the midfielder does show flashes of quality, including a decent duel success rate, the reality is that Howe does not seem convinced.
Elanga, at least, is getting minutes and opportunities to turn things around. His pace still offers something different, and there is a sense that confidence could quickly change his fortunes. Ramsey’s situation feels more worrying. Without regular football or a clear role, it is hard to see how he becomes an important part of this project.
Newcastle’s recruitment under PIF has often been praised, but this summer may have produced some costly mistakes. If performances do not improve soon, these signings risk being remembered not as bold steps forward, but as expensive misjudgments in a season that promised far more than it has delivered so far.
