Is it understandable that Newcastle United have lost some of their fluency and sharpness after such a tumultuous summer?
Understandably, it’s Eddie Howe’s job to find a solution and get United back to a level where they can challenge for silver and qualify for European competition again.
Eight games into the Premier League season, the Magpies are languishing in 14th place, although it’s still early days. One need only look back at the previous season of this fascinating Toon show to note how Newcastle found form during the winter months and set themselves up for trophy success.
Losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool was a bitter pill to swallow, but Nick Woltemade has started his Tyneside career really well, scoring five goals in his first eight games in all competitions.
The German striker stands under a high ceiling, but so far not all of his attacking colleagues have caught the eye, with Anthony Elanga yet to hit his stride after joining for big money this summer.
Eranga’s life in Newcastle begins
Newcastle have a job to do this season and Elanga is the embodiment of that. The 23-year-old joined St James’ Park from Nottingham Forest for £55 million in the summer and came with high expectations.
The Manchester United academy graduate made a name for himself at the City Ground, combining his blistering speed with a natural lightness and creativity on the ball.
Although he is yet to register a goal contribution for Newcastle, Elanga ranks in the top 11% of players in his position across Europe for assists per 90, according to FBref, underscoring the talent of a player whose talent has yet to blossom under Howe.
premier league eranga | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per match) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
Match (start) | 38(31) | 8(4) |
the goal | 6 | 0 |
assist | 11 | 0 |
touch* | 32.0 | 24.4 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 1.2(0.6) | 0.4 (0.1) |
Pass completed | 78% | 77% |
Key pass* | 1.3 | 0.6 |
dribble* | 0.7 | 0.3 |
collect* | 2.3 | 0.9 |
Tackle + Interception* | 0.7 | 0.3 |
Win a duel* | 3.0 | 1.9 |
Statistics by Sofascore | ||
There is no doubt that the data pool is shallow. And while the Sweden international has plenty of time to click into gear and start performing at his best this season, there is no doubt that improvement is needed.
Howe has been admirable in defense as a summer rookie, but is implicitly frustrated by his start to life at Newcastle and will continue to work tirelessly to unlock potential qualities that have yet to surface.
Bed duration is understandable and worth remembering. While Elanga is very likely to be made the scapegoat for the club’s current woes, there is another senior member of Howe’s team who is unlikely to do well this term.
In any case, new technical director Ross Wilson will be keeping a close eye on wingers, with a tentative list of wide forwards no doubt being considered for next year’s transfer window.
And unlike Elanga, time may be running out for this mainstay.
Newcastle need to upgrade Howe favorite
Newcastle have had a strong backbone throughout Howe’s tenure, but that has started to peel away this year. Isaac is gone and Joelinton may be entering the final stages of his career in the North East of England.
A lack of creativity has been Newcastle’s problem so far this season, and while Elanga is expected to do more, Joelinton has struggled to perform in central midfield and the Brazilian may be nearing the end of his journey, with United blogger Thomas Hammond even suggesting this is the “beginning of the end” for the 29-year-old, who has been honking for some time.
Newcastle World gave Joelinton a match rating of 4/10 after the defeat against Brighton on the south coast. They were caught at half-time after a weak display, with SofaScore recording that they failed to create any chances or even attempt a dribble, giving up the ball and allowing Georginio Rutter to cross the line.
He may be one of Newcastle’s most recognizable stars and the signature player of the Howe era, but there is a sense that all good things come to an end and that an upgrade could be made at the center of the park.
Howe’s most used player at Newcastle | ||
|---|---|---|
rank | player | app |
1 | Bruno Guimarães | 164 |
2 | Fabian Schaal | 160 |
3 | Dan Burns | 159 |
4 | jacob murphy | 145 |
5 | Joelinton | 139 |
Dates via Transfermarkt | ||
As the central partnership of Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali continues to blossom, so too will Joelinton’s importance under the lights at St James’ Park.
Six starts in this year’s Premier League leave much to be desired, and there is no doubt that a more overtly creative midfielder could be a welcome addition in the coming months, supplemented and fed by an elegant deep midfielder at the forefront of the engine room.
With Jacob Ramsey back to full fitness, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the 6ft 3in powerhouse start on the bench a few times over the coming months. According to FBref, he only ranks in the top 48% of midfielders in shot creation actions and in the top 67% in progressive passes per 90.
A pass is considered progressive if the distance between the starting point and the next touch is at least 10 meters closer to the completed pass into the opponent’s goal or into the penalty area.
Joelinton’s incredible comeback in the Premier League means he will be remembered as a hero at Newcastle for years to come. A Carabao Cup champion and Champions League participant, he embodies the spirit of Howe’s reign.
But Newcastle are evolving and in this new era, their options for using him may have dried up. Elanga has time to turn things around, but Joelinton’s best days are probably behind him.