The two senior Newcastle United stars already putting pressure on new signings to perform

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Two of Newcastle United’s summer signings already appear to be facing a battle for a starting berth.

With Newcastle United not having made a major signing since the summer of 2023 up until the dramatic transfer window just gone, fans were understandably eager to see Eddie Howe’s squad strengthened.

While it wasn’t always easy, the club managed to do that. Indeed, Newcastle made six major summer signings, bolstering the squad ahead of this season’s Champions League campaign.

So far, the standout looks like Nick Woltemade. These are incredibly early days yet but the German international scored on his debut to make a statement of intent.

There is also hope that fellow new arrival Yoane Wissa will hit the ground running once he returns from injury.

Still, two of the other new arrivals look like they face a mountain to climb as they look to claim a starting berth.

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Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga facing Newcastle United battle

This is not a criticism of either Aaron Ramsdale or Anthony Elanga, it must be said.

Instead, it is to reflect just how well Nick Pope and Jacob Murphy – the players currently in their position – are playing.

Pope was brilliant for Newcastle against Wolves, pulling off a number of fine saves to keep his third clean sheet in four games. Right now, there would appear to be little reason to bring Ramsdale in any time soon.

Murphy, meanwhile, recorded a fine assist for Woltemade on Saturday. His start to the season has been slightly impacted by an injury, but Murphy appeared to have shaken that off on Saturday.

The old guard remain two of Newcastle’s most important players. Given Wissa’s injury, Woltemade needs all the reliable service he can get, and Murphy provides that.

Elanga is yet to really click in a Newcastle shirt but judgement must be reserved until he’s playing in a functioning team. Howe will no doubt improve the Sweden international and, in Elanga’s defence, he was walking into a Newcastle attack lacking a striker during the opening part of the season.

For now, Murphy and Pope remain of the utmost importance.

Eddie Howe set to make Newcastle United’s money go further

The Newcastle United manager boasts a strong track record when it comes to improving players.

With that in mind, it seems reasonable to expect all of Elanga and fellow new signings Woltemade, Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw to kick on over the next few months too. 

That is a seriously exciting prospect. Though the likes of Murphy have shown little reason to drop them, that’s not to say that will always be the case.

Newcastle looked entirely unprepared to balance the Champions League with their domestic campaign the last time they were in Europe.

It all feels very different now.