Worth more than Elanga: Newcastle have struck gold on Howe’s "nightmare"
Newcastle exceeded expectations when winning the Carabao Cup and rolling out the carpet for the forthcoming Champions League campaign, qualifying as they did via the Premier League.
Given that Eddie Howe was forced to contend with less than fluent form in the early stages of the season as a by-product of a disappointing summer transfer window that was itself preceded by a crushing end to their 2023/24 season, missing out on Europe after Manchester United won the FA Cup, this is a truly remarkable feat.
And now, during this current window, more adversity has been met. Newcastle need new forwards, but they’ve struggled to reel them in thus far.
That is, up until a breakthrough in regard to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.
Why Newcastle are signing Anthony Elanga
When Newcastle parted ways with Miguel Almiron midway through the 2024/25 campaign, it was expected they would sign a replacement.
They have needed a right-sided forward for a while, but Jacob Murphy’s incredible form has tempered the urgency over the past 12 months, having chalked up 20 goals and assists in the league alone last season.
Now, though, Elanga could provide the perfect competition, bringing a high-speed, high-energy and high-creativity style of football to Howe’s team, already so impressive in transitional sequences.
Having already seen a £45m offer knocked back, the Magpies have demonstrated their intent by returning with an improved £55m bid, with anticipation growing that their efforts will prove fruitful.
Having already missed out on a slew of top targets such as Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United are in need of some uplifting news.
They will strike gold with Elanga, who has posted 31 goal contributions across his two top-flight terms with Forest, after initially signing from Man United for £15m in 2023.
However, Elanga’s high stock doesn’t mean he automatically qualifies as the cream of Newcastle’s wide attacking crop.
Murphy and Harvey Barnes have both been exceptional for the Toon; however, Anthony Gordon would wager himself the best of the bunch.
Newcastle have hit gold with Anthony Gordon
Gordon didn’t start his Newcastle career on the firmest footing. Indeed, after forcing his way out of Everton and joining the Toon in a £45m deal back in January 2023, he played a peripheral role that lacked a potent finish over the business months of that campaign.
However, he’s since come alive; now a fully-fledged Three Lions star and one of Howe’s most talented forwards, fearsome alongside the world-class Alexander Isak, Gordon is regarded as “one of the best wingers around” by retired manager Harry Redknapp.
It bears testament to his quality that even after an up-and-down year, only scoring nine goals (and providing seven assists) across 42 games, the 24-year-old has still retained the admiration of the fans and indeed potential suitors, who have circled over recent weeks.
Matches (starts)
35 (34)
34 (28)
Goals
11
6
Assists
10
5
Shots (on target)*
2.3 (0.9)
1.7 (0.6)
Pass completion
82%
81%
Key passes*
1.6
1.5
Big chances created
16
6
Dribbles*
1.5
1.1
Ball recoveries*
3.6
2.9
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
1.1
Duels (won)*
5.3 (49%)
4.4 (52%)
Gordon might not have had the finest season in the world, but he showcased his high-level quality across the previous year, racking up 21 goal contributions in the Premier League and dazzling with underlying creative and physical metrics that were certainly still on show last term.
His efforts across his first full term on Tyneside saw the England international crowned the club’s Player of the Year, a talisman through an injury-hit spell that hampered Howe’s project considerably.
The goal involvements act as a neat barometer for assessment of Gordon’s talent, but his performances on the field almost defy such statistical analysis. His driven, tough and intelligent performances have made him an instrumental part of Howe’s success, especially as he’s so versatile, playing dutifully as a right-winger or even as a makeshift centre-forward.
But Gordon’s high ceiling was rubber-stamped when Liverpool came calling, the Anfield side being offered their one-time academy member as St. James’ Park sweated over compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
Ultimately, United managed to weave around any costly breaches by offloading more peripheral members of the squad – like Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh – but the fact remains that fans got a glimpse of the financial reckoning their winger is held in, with the Reds looking to strike a deal for £75m.
That figure in itself underscores Gordon’s superior value to Elanga, who could leave the City Ground for £55m, but Gordon has actually seen his stock rise higher still this year, with the £150k-per-week talent now valued at an eye-watering £100m.
His might seem over-expensive, but this is the modern market we’re talking about, and it illustrates Gordon’s reputation as being one of the most talented wingers on the continent.
Confident in his skills, Gordon has declared himself a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, owing to his combative and electric running style, his willingness to take on his man and get stuck in during defensive phases.
Having extended his contract with Newcastle in October 2024, Howe must well and truly feel that he has hit the jackpot with this wonderful player, whose left-sided predilection will perhaps see him partner Elanga for years to come, servicing the focal Isak in the middle.
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Newcastle have come a long way over the past few years, but with Howe engineering such exciting and precise signings with a regularity that eludes many of their divisional rivals, there’s every chance that the best is yet to come.
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