Anthony Elanga is settling in extremely well at Newcastle United, as he gets set to play in front of the Toon Army for the first time.
The 23-year-old should feature during Newcastle’s friendly against Celtic on Saturday, with Geordie Boot Boys predicting that Elanga will start.
The £55million man is becoming fully acquainted with his new teammates, despite having the luxury of already knowing plenty of the Newcastle United squad. Elanga is close friends with Will Osula, while he plays for Sweden alongside Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth.
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Anthony Elanga highlights Anthony Gordon’s role behind the scenes
They will be helping Elanga settle into life as a Newcastle United player, but there is also another player who is making the new signing feel welcome.
During an interview with the i Paper, Elanga explained that Anthony Gordon has really been helping him behind the scenes since joining the club. Initially speaking about Isak, Elanga took the opportunity to praise Gordon for the role he has had over the past week.
“What he [Isak] has shown in training is second to none and I’m looking forward to continuing training with him,” he said.
“Not just him, of course, but also Anthony Gordon, who I’m also close with. He’s helped me a lot settling in.”
Callum Wilson did the same for Anthony Gordon when he joined Newcastle United
Gordon knows what it is like to join this Newcastle United squad. He arrived in January 2023, swapping Goodison Park for St James’ Park in a £45million move.
Settling in presented a challenge, as it was midway through the season and Eddie Howe had created such a tightknit group.
But Gordon did settle in, with Callum Wilson playing a key role in making the Scouser feel comfortable.
During an appearance on the Footballer’s Football podcast in March 2023, Wilson spoke about taking Gordon under his ‘wing’ after his arrival.
“We’ve had Anthony Gordon who I’ve helped out, taken under my wing a little bit,” he said.
“He’s a professional player anyway. It’s just making sure that you’re in the gym, you’re doing the things you need to do, you’re on time. You do this, you do that. Not how to be a pro or be a footballer because he’s good enough and he’s old enough anyway.
“It’s more just how it is in our dressing room. The kind of mentality and morale that’s in there. Do not be late for the meeting, make sure you’re on time. Little things like that because that’s what will wind the manager up.”
What Wilson did made a real difference, and the pair went on to have a special relationship at St James’ Park. Gordon paid an emotional tribute to Wilson after his exit was confirmed earlier this month.
Now, in the wake of Callum Wilson leaving Newcastle, Gordon is doing the same for Elanga. That should help the Swede have an immediate impact on Tyneside, which is exactly what Eddie Howe wants.
With Elanga on one wing and Gordon on the other supplying chances for Isak, Newcastle United’s attack is suddenly more dangerous than ever.
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