Eddie Howe claims Newcastle United have a player who’s just like Anthony Gordon

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Eddie Howe is waiting for most of his summer signings to burst into life at Newcastle United.

Not every summer signing had a dream debut like Nick Woltemade. He scored the winner against Wolves on Saturday, but is the only new recruit to really have a major impact since his Toon arrival.

Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are injured, Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw are on the bench, while Anthony Elanga is in and out of the team.

After starting Newcastle’s first two games, the Sweden international has dropped to the bench in favour of Jacob Murphy. The £55million winger was expected to immediately impress in black and white, but that is not quite how things have transpired.

However, Eddie Howe remains very happy with Elanga.

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

Eddie Howe is ‘delighted’ as he compares Anthony Elanga to Anthony Gordon

Ahead of Newcastle United’s game against Barcelona in the Champions League, Howe has spoken to the media.

He was asked if there had been any difficult conversations between himself and Elanga, as they aim to get him playing as well for Newcastle as he was for Nottingham Forest.

“No difficult conversations with him,” he said.

“I think he is in a good place. I’ve been really pleased with how he’s integrated himself into the group, how he’s committed to the training we’ve asked him to do.

“He’s got standout qualities and attributes that we need. Similar to Anthony [Gordon], he’s got that outstanding pace and directness.

“He’s going through a process where he’s trying to understand everything that is required of him here, which is very different to what was required of him at his former club. He did really well last season in a slightly different style, so that acclimatisation will take a period.

“But I think he is well on the way to doing that and I am delighted with him.”

Anthony Elanga can kickstart Newcastle United career vs Barcelona

Elanga has shown signs of promise so far. He was lively against Aston Villa and Liverpool, but lacked composure in the final third.

In both of those games, his pace was electrifying. Elanga has the kind of speed that can terrify any defence, which is why the stage feels perfectly set for him to truly announce himself as a Toon player.

Newcastle United’s pace and running power is going to be pivotal against Barcelona. Hansi Flick uses a high defensive line that Newcastle can potentially exploit, which is why this feels like the perfect moment for Elanga to step up.

He has impressed Howe behind the scenes, while he already appears to be immensely popular in the dressing room. Now it is time to impress the fans, and there is no better way for Elanga to endear himself to the Toon Army than with a blistering Champions League display against the European juggernaut that is Barcelona.