At a glance
- Former Forest forward claims he’s ‘not the same’
- Elanga lacks attacking output
- Links to potential replacements
Anthony Elanga has been unable to reach the levels that he showed at Nottingham Forest last season since his move to Newcastle. Former Forest striker Marlon Harewood has claimed he is “not the same sort of person” he was in Red.
The Swedish international moved to St James’ Park in a £55 million deal, making him the club’s third-most expensive signing of all time behind Alexander Isak and Nick Woltemade.
Elanga had scored six goals and registered 11 assists last season in the Premier League. In Black and White, he is still searching for his first league goal.
Elanga criticism
Elanga began his career at Manchester United before he moved to the City Ground in search of regular football.
Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Elanga was part of a strong attack with Calum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood as Forest qualified for European competition for the first time since 1995-96.
Elanga received a lot of praise for the numbers he was delivering at Forest, and Eddie Howe was keen on making him a Newcastle player, which he eventually did. However, the 23-year-old hasn’t been able to replicate that form.
In an interview with Goal, former Forest player and Newcastle loanee claimed Elanga hasn’t been able to do the things he was able to do at Forest.
He said, “He’s probably been playing alright. But not to the standard that he’s been playing at Forest, because he looked sharp at Forest.”
Newcastle fans understand the club is going through a period of transition this season, particularly in attack with the sale of Isak and the incoming of several forwards.
With Elanga’s Premier League experience and his fitness seeming good, many within the Toon Army would have felt him to adapt the quickest, but that hasn’t been the case.
Harewood believes he is watching a different player.
“With respect to the Newcastle manager or Newcastle, he just doesn’t seem the same sort of person that he was at Forest.”
Exit on the cards for Elanga?
Harewood wouldn’t rule out Elanga possibly returning to the City Ground to find his feet once again.
“It’s familiarity, isn’t it? I bet when they come back, they won’t feel out of place because they’ll know where they’ve been and how they’ve got to where they have gone.”
Magpie supporters have been frustrated with Elanga’s output, with only one assist so far in the Premier League under Howe.
| Anthony Elanga (Premier League 2025/26) | Stats |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 26 |
| Starts | 12 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Expected Goals | 1.37 |
| Expected Assists | 1.69 |
| Key passes per game | 0.6 |
| Dribble success rate per game | 30% |
| Accurate crosses per game | 16% |
Other signings like Woltemade and Yoane Wissa have also struggled to find any rhythm on Tyneside so far, but with his skill set, many would believe Elanga is a perfect winger in a Howe system.
His lethal pace is something that Howe desires in his forwards, which gets the best out of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.
Newcastle have been linked with a handful of wingers over recent weeks, such as Allan from Palmeiras and Said El Mala, who plays for Koln.
While Howe may want to give another season to the 23-year-old, as there is plenty of potential within him, if Newcastle want to get back to a more consistent basis next season, they may need to consider cutting their losses for a player to make an immediate impact.
