Anthony Elanga admits Newcastle “debt” after £55m struggles

Anthony Elanga's form debate has intensified after the winger admitted he feels a sense of debt to Eddie Howe following a mixed start to life on Tyneside.

The £55m signing arrived from Nottingham Forest with high expectations but has yet to fully replicate the consistency that defined his previous campaign. While flashes of impact have appeared, including a standout display against Tottenham, Elanga has struggled to maintain momentum and has not scored a Premier League goal since his move.

With Newcastle chasing European qualification, patience is thinning.

Elanga acknowledged Howe’s backing during a difficult spell and made clear he wants to repay that faith.

“It’s important that we continue to play for the manager because he’s done so much for us and he’s helped us so much,” he said.

“So it’s now up to us to continue to do what we’ve been doing recently and just keep on letting our football do the talking.”

Newcastle remain within reach of the European places, though the margin for error is narrowing. A run of inconsistent results has left them needing momentum quickly, starting with Everton this weekend.

Having followed Newcastle’s attacking patterns in recent weeks, Elanga’s role has evolved. He is often tasked with stretching play and driving transitions, but end-product numbers remain modest for a forward at his price point.

Despite current frustrations, Elanga expressed confidence in the squad’s ceiling.

“The potential in the squad is honestly scary. It’s so good,” he said.

“It’s just up to us now to do the talking on the pitch and put in the work day in, day out.”

He also highlighted the impact of Howe’s management style.

“When you’ve got a manager like Eddie, it’s a no-brainer. We’ll continue to build and just stay focused on consistency and I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

That consistency remains the key variable. Newcastle’s Champions League hopes via league position are challenging but not impossible.

However, it remains too early to determine whether Elanga’s adaptation period is transitional or symptomatic of deeper tactical adjustment.

Newcastle face Everton in a fixture that could shape short-term momentum. A strong performance from Elanga would ease external scrutiny and reinforce Howe’s faith. With decisive weeks approaching, individual form must align with collective ambition.

Can Elanga turn belief into output as Newcastle push for Europe?