Eddie Howe has issued a stirring defence of Anthony Elanga at Newcastle United.
Though there has been the odd moment from Elanga at Newcastle United, he has so far been a truly underwhelming signing.
While these are still early days in his career at the club, the fact that the £55million winger has just one assist in 25 games cannot be ignored.
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Whereas the likes of Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw have starred despite not boasting much in the way of Premier League experience, Elanga has struggled at Newcastle.
Still, Howe has long been a supporter of the Sweden international and has refused to give up hope.
In fact, he believes the only reason people are talking about his form is due to his lack of cutting edge.
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Eddie Howe says Anthony Elanga’s lack of end product is his major issue at Newcastle United
Speaking ahead of the Manchester United game on Boxing Day, the Newcastle United manager was asked about Elanga.
He admitted that the former Nottingham Forest star has been missing end product, although that is not entirely his fault.
Granted, the player could have made better decisions at times, but there have also been occasions where he’s laid on fine chances for some of his teammates, who have missed them.
These are fine margins and while frustration with Elanga is justified, that context must be applied.
Howe is of the belief that the lack of goals and assists is what has stopped him from getting the praise he believes will eventually come, while also revealing that Elanga is brilliant in training.
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“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,” he said (via Newcastle World).
“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.”
How many chances Anthony Elanga has actually created for Newcastle United this season
Elanga has created eight chances in the Premier League this season, which sees him rank 131st across the division in that particular metric.
However, from a Newcastle perspective, it’s actually the third highest in the team.
Only Bruno Guimaraes (20) and Harvey Barnes (10) have actually created more chances thus far.
In the Champions League, the 23-year-old has created five chances. Guimaraes (10), Sandro Tonali (9), Kieran Trippier (7) and Woltemade (6) are ahead of him.
In total, Elanga has created 13 chances this season.
It’s not always been Elanga’s fault that his teammates have not finished them.
Had Anthony Gordon put away his cross against Barcelona, it could have been a very different story.
That’s not to say that the criticism isn’t justified at times, of course.
However, Newcastle insiders expect Elanga to come good and the underlying numbers do suggest that there is something to work with.
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