Eddie Howe leaps to defence of 'unbelievable' Newcastle United player who is struggling to find form
Newcastle United acted relatively quickly in the summer (for them) to bring in their first signing of the transfer period, snapping up Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55 million.
Eddie Howe had been chasing Elanga for a while and had even tried to sign the Sweden international on deadline day of the summer window the year before.
Elanga went on to have a fantastic season for Nottingham Forest, scoring at will and providing plenty of assists, so when Newcastle finally got their man, everyone was excited at the prospect of him linking up with Alexander Isak.
Unfortunately, Isak had other ideas, and he eventually left for Liverpool. Meanwhile, Anthony Elanga seemed to struggle to come to terms with life on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe still has full faith in Anthony Elanga
We're probably beyond the 'bedding in' point now, and Elanga still hasn't really shown what he can do in a Newcastle shirt, at least not consistently. However, Eddie Howe says he's seen enough to know he's on the right track (via Newcastle World).
“I think it's really strange, because I think if you put all his best moments together in a Newcastle shirt, you'd put a showreel together of a player that's got some unbelievable attributes and has done some really, really good things for the team.
“Even the moment on Saturday, I think not many other players would have been able to elevate themselves into that position because they wouldn't have his speed and his athleticism to get there in the first place. So, I think sometimes we're very quick to analyse things negatively rather than the positive.
“Yes, the end part was just slightly missing. And I'd say that's been probably the thing that's held Anthony back from getting the recognition and the praise that I think is to come in the future for him. And the actual end product, the goals and assists that we know that he will want, we will want from him.
“But it's there, the tools are there. And a lot of it comes with feeling, it comes with confidence, it comes with the belonging aspect. And when you come to a new club, as quickly as you can feel those things, the better player you'll have.
“I really believe in him, that's never wavered from me. I see the professional that he is and how hard he's worked behind the scenes and how well he wants to do. One of our best trainers every single day.
“So, I think when you put all those things together, then I believe really strongly that Anthony will have a great time here.”
Anthony Elanga has been so frustrating this season
It is frustrating watching Elanga play lately. You can see the potential there, even if you'd never watched how good he was for Forest, you can see he has what it takes, but he just keeps making stupid mistakes or making the wrong decision.
Like Howe, we're sure he'll become a good player for us, but it just needs to happen sooner rather than later. Newcastle aren't in a position right now to have a player putting in performances so far below their level.
Elanga could come up against his old club tonight as Newcastle take on Manchester United. We don't think he'll start, but he's likely to be given some minutes.
