The £55million winger has been backed to be a hit at St James’ Park but Eddie Howe knows it will take more time
Eddie Howe has backed Anthony Elanga to come good at Newcastle United – although Jacob Murphy is now breathing down his neck for a starting place.
Murphy, who grabbed 14 assists and nine goals in an outstanding campaign in the 2024/25 season, has watched on as opportunities became limited on Tyneside.
But he came on as a substitute at Brighton and offered much more of an attacking threat.
When asked about Elanga, Howe said ahead of the Benfica game: “Anthony is an outstanding player and I have no doubt about his long-term qualities for the team.
“There is a settling-in period for him that he’s going through. He’s having to make slight adjustments to his game.
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“If you look back at a highlight reel of what he’s delivered, he’s put some great crosses in, albeit with no direct goal outputs.
“That’s not all down to his contribution; we should have scored from some of them.
“But I think he’s got a lot more to give and I’ve got no doubt about his success.”
Howe had asked for more of his attackers to join the party in the final third with Newcastle becoming reliant on Nick Woltemade as the main source of goals in the Premier League.
The head coach added: “We have meetings with them all the time – individually, as units, and as a team.
“We are constantly working on all phases of our game. There is an onus and a responsibility on the attacking players to contribute, but sometimes the problem doesn’t always exist with what you’re directly looking at and there is another reason behind it.
“It’s about giving everyone accountability within the team, myself included, to find a solution.”