Anthony Elanga massively wasted his derby day chance as Newcastle United lost to Sunderland on Sunday.
He was the surprise inclusion when Eddie Howe’s starting XI to face Sunderland was announced, with Anthony Elanga deployed on the right of attack ahead of Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.
It was an incredibly surprising decision, and one that backfired. Elanga seriously struggled against Sunderland, coming off in the 59th minute to be replaced by Murphy.
His performance in Newcastle’s loss to Sunderland raises fresh questions over the decision to spend £55million on him, but the club still have faith that he will come good.
Anthony Elanga had a day to forget against Sunderland 😟 Would starting Jacob Murphy have changed things?!
Anthony Elanga has not convinced since joining Newcastle United. Anthony Elanga deserves more time to come good. Both of these things can be true at the same time.
Newcastle United still expect Anthony Elanga to succeed
That is according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, who has spoken about Elanga on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne.
Waugh was critical of Elanga’s display against Sunderland, but insists that club insiders still have high hopes for the Sweden international.
“Anthony Elanga had a very difficult afternoon,” he said.
“I probably would have hooked him earlier because I think he looked mentally shot. There are concerns about how he has settled in on the pitch at the moment.
“Those inside the club say he is going to come good. Well it certainly isn’t happening at the minute.”
Finish this sentence, the worst thing about Newcastle United’s defeat to Sunderland was _
Having to hear about it until at least March, would be my answer!
Eddie Howe put Anthony Elanga in a shocking position
Elanga was not good enough against Sunderland, but the fact he was named in the starting XI made no sense to begin with.
He has massively struggled in a Newcastle United shirt so far, looking short of confidence any time he is on the pitch. To then put him into the pressure cooker of a Tyne-Wear derby away from home was strange.
There was a fear that Elanga would be eaten alive by Sunderland’s physicality, and that proved to be the case. His weakness in possession cannot be justified, but the finger should be pointed at Howe for picking him in the first place.
The decision made even less sense with Toon fan Jacob Murphy in reserve, as well as the in-form Harvey Barnes. Howe made a lot of mistakes against Sunderland, but this was one of his biggest.
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