Alan Shearer blown away by how quick ‘rapid’ Newcastle player actually is

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United’s summer transfer business is suddenly looking very impressive in the eyes of Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker.

It was a challenging summer for Eddie Howe, and it ended with his Newcastle United squad looking very different.

They lost their top scorer, while they also brought in six new senior signings to the tune of more than £250million.

It was a summer of change at St James’ Park, and it suddenly looks like change could be good after Newcastle’s win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.

Nick Woltemade is settling in really well, but Lineker and Shearer have also been blown away by another player who joined the Magpies this summer.

• READ MORE: Who is Alan Shearer? Stats, Height, Wife, Daughter, Net Worth

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer stunned by how fast Anthony Elanga is

During the latest episode of the Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker and Shearer discussed Newcastle’s 4-0 win in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Lineker had to take the opportunity to heap praise on Anthony Elanga, who won UEFA’s player of the match award.

Shearer was in agreement, having been stunned by just how fast the summer signing is.

Lineker: “I’ll tell you who’s also settled in quickly, Anthony Elanga. I thought he was exceptional [against USG].”

Shearer: “He’s rapid, isn’t he? I mean, oh my God, he’s like incredibly quick. It’s unbelievable how quick he is.”

Lineker: “We saw it with Forest last season. There will be games where you’ve got to play a little bit deeper, particularly in the Champions League. That electric pace on the counterattack is going to be invaluable.”

Shearer: “When teams are attacking Newcastle, that’s when Newcastle could be at their most dangerous with the turnover once they get the ball back to him. When he’s facing you one-v-one, when he’s up against you, you’re in trouble if it’s a race because you are not beating him for pace.”

• Who is Anthony Elanga? Newcastle United’s brand new £55m winger

Anthony Elanga can run 85 metres in nine seconds

The 23-year-old has already showcased his incredible speed this season. Elanga was outstanding against USG, with the Belgian side unable to cope with his direct running power.

However, Toon fans are yet to see the Anthony Elanga who made Nottingham Forest so dangerous on the counterattack last season.

That was summed up by a goal he scored against Manchester United at the City Ground.

Elanga picked up the ball in his own half, before driving towards goal at pace. He was able to provide a finish too, grabbing one of the six goals he scored last season.

Incredibly, he was able to run 85 metres in just nine seconds. That is absolutely ridiculous, and is all the more impressive that he did it while running with the ball.

Newcastle already had pace in attack. Anthony Gordon is rapid, while Harvey Barnes is pretty quick too. But the Magpies took things to another level when they signed Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55million.

The Sweden international makes Newcastle’s forward line even more terrifying, and it is going to be exciting to see what he can achieve in black and white.