Newcastle United are nothing if not persistent. And it is this perseverance that will see Eddie Howe’s side reclaim their finest, most fluent form in the Premier League.
In the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, the Magpies are flying high, well worth their money on each account. But, sitting 13th in the league standings and with three away defeats in a row, it’s clear that improvements are needed.
The forwards need to pull it together because, at the moment, it’s all feeling a bit Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron-esque.
Newcastle sold Almiron with the view toward reshaping the frontline and making it sharper, after all.
How Howe reshaped Newcastle's frontline
When Howe arrived at Newcastle, he found a frontline led by Dwight Gayle and Callum Wilson, flanks operated by St. Maximin and Almiron.
All have been moved on now, and Almiron marks an interesting case of the ruthlessness the manager has shown since taking the hot seat in 2021.
The Paraguayan was a tenacious and dynamic attacking option for Newcastle on the right wing, but he was frustratingly inconsistent, and this was hampering the club in their fight to sustain a place at the top of the English ladder.
Of course, it was Almiron’s remarkable purple patch in 2022/23 that helped the Toon in their bid to qualify for the Champions League. This they achieved, and Almiron played his part.
Reporter Jordan Cronin perhaps summed it up best, saying as the winger prepared to return to Atlanta United in January that “you can question his ability, but never his heart.”
24/25
9
0 (0)
23/24
33
3 (1)
22/23
34
11 (2)
21/22
30
1 (0)
20/21
34
4 (1)
19/20
36
4 (2)
18/19
10
0 (0)
It was clear that he needed to leave when he did, but United needed to get it right when landing a successor. But have they potentially landed themselves a repeat of the South American star?
Newcastle's new version of Almiron
Almiron endeared himself to the Newcastle fanbase from the off and played a crucial role in transitioning from the bleak Mike Ashley era to the brighter fortunes of today.
But Howe knew his team needed more quality on the attacking flanks, and so Anthony Elanga was signed from Nottingham Forest this summer for a £55m fee.
The 23-year-old is a fleet-footed and creative winger, but he’s blanked across 16 matches in all competitions for Newcastle this season, and that price tag is starting to look rather steep.
Analyst Raj Chohan thought as much from the outset, commenting that Elanga was a “massive overpay” on the Tyneside outfit’s part.
However, there’s no question that there is a player in there, dangerous on the counter and effective in his playmaking.
As per data-driven platform FBref, the Sweden international actually ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists per 90. Clearly, given that none of his assists have come since the summer, there is a player in there.
But, with Anthony Gordon also yet to score or assist in the Premier League this season, it’s not difficult to highlight the cracks in Newcastle’s attacking arsenal.
Solace will be taken from all parties in that patience is needed when signing up-and-coming talents. And Newcastle are nothing if not patient, of course, having enjoyed the highs and battled through the lows of Howe’s successful and progressive reign.
What needs to happen now is for Elanga to make headway and shake off any concerns relating to his efficiency in front of goal, or indeed supplying the scorer.
As per Sofascore, he hasn’t yet created a big chance in the top flight this term, averaging just 0.4 shots and 0.2 dribbles per game. On top of this, Elanga has lost 63% of his duels, and so it’s clear that he’s not yet even matching Almiron’s unalterable attitude and commitment on the flank.
Matches (starts)
36 (25)
38 (31)
Goals
5
6
Assists
9
11
Shots (on target)*
1.5 (0.6)
1.1 (0.6)
Pass completion
75%
78%
Key passes*
0.9
1.3
Big chances created
14
9
Dribbles*
0.8
0.7
Tackles + interceptions*
1.1
0.7
Duels (won)*
2.9 (44%)
3.0 (45%)
As you can see, these are two successful Premier League campaigns from the talent, who has yet to find his feet after joining Newcastle this summer for a big fee and with a £100k-per-week salary.
He’s fast, and at times, ferocious, yet Elanga runs the risk of crumbling away under Howe’s wing, and while he’s a committed and hard-working player, if he cannot find a measure of form in the final third, comparisons concerning Almiron will only rise in volume and intensity.
Scoring goals is not Elanga’s forte, not in bucketloads. But there’s no denying his performances have been below the expected quality so far this season, and his two terms at the City Ground underline a creative quality that, while proven in the English top flight, has not yet surfaced at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle know they have a talented winger in their mix, and with a bit more work, he might just provide the club with the creative support they desire over the coming years.
However, Elanga has yet to show he can maintain clinical levels in black and white, and until that duck is broken, fears that PIF have replaced Almiron with Almiron will persist.
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