Newcastle hit money on Howe’s “nightmare”

Newcastle won the Carabao Cup and rolled out the carpet for the upcoming Champions League campaign, exceeding expectations in qualifying, as they did via the Premier League.

Eddie Howe had missed Europe early in the season, with an overwhelming end to the 2023/24 season ahead of the season, with Manchester United winning the FA Cup. This is truly an amazing feat.

And now, more adversity is being fulfilled during this current window. Newcastle needs new forwards, but they’ve struggled to get them out in the past.

That means not only a breakthrough in Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.

Why is Newcastle signing Anthony Elanga?

When Newcastle broke up with Miguel Almiron midway through the 2024/25 campaign, they were expected to sign an alternative.

They needed a right front for a while, but Jacob Murphy’s incredible form eased the urgency of the last 12 months, raising 20 goals and assisting in the league alone last season alone.

But now, Elanga is able to provide the perfect competition, bringing Hau’s team a high-energy and highly creative soccer style.

Already seeing the £45 million offer being knocked back, Magpies have shown their intentions by coming back with a £55 million bid and hope that their efforts will prove fruitful.

We’ve already missed a number of top targets like United’s Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, so we need some uplifting news.

They attack Elanga and Gold, who have recorded 31 goal contributions to the two top flight conditions with Forest after signing from Man United for £15 million in 2023.

However, Elanga’s high stock does not mean that it automatically qualifies as a cream for Newcastle’s wide attack crop.

Murphy and Harvey Barnes were both exceptional for Toon. But Anthony Gordon will bet himself on the best bunch.

Newcastle hit gold with Anthony Gordon

Gordon did not start his Newcastle career with a solid footing. In fact, after leaving Everton and joining Toon in January 2023 on a £45 million contract, he played a periphery role that lacked a strong finish throughout the campaign’s opening month.

But he has lived ever since. Now, alongside world-class Alexander Isaac, a full-fledged three lion star and one of Howe’s most talented forwards, Gordon is considered “one of the best wingers” by his retired manager, Harry Redknap.

His quality has been testament to his quality of winning nine goals (and providing seven assists) in 42 games (and providing seven assists), and maintaining the admiration of fans and actual potential suitors who have been circling in recent weeks.

Gordon may not have had the best season in the world, but he showed off his high level of quality over the previous year, earning 21 goal contributions in the Premier League and captivated his fundamental creative and physical metrics.

His efforts through his first maturity at Tyneside saw that England International was crowned the club’s Player of the Year.

The involvement of the goal serves as a neat barometer for assessing Gordon’s talent, but his performance on the field largely ignores such statistical analyses. His ambitious, tough and intelligent performance has become a tool part of Howe’s success. He is especially loyal and faithfully plays as a right winger or as a makeshift central player.

But Gordon’s high ceiling was rubber stamped when Liverpool called. The Anfield side sweated out at one-time academy members as they sweated out their compliance with Premier League profits and sustainability rules.

Ultimately, United were able to weave costly violations by offloading more surrounding members, like Elliot Anderson and Jankova Minte, but we get a glimpse of fans having a glimpse into the Winger’s finances.

The numbers themselves emphasize Gordon’s excellent value over Elanga. Elanga was able to leave the city to the ground for £55 million, but Gordon has seen his shares rise again this year, with his £150,000 talent being valued at £100 million.

He may seem expensive, but this shows Gordon’s reputation as the modern market we’re talking about and one of the most talented wingers on the continent.

Convinced with his skills, Gordon declared that he was a “nightmare of who he opposed, due to his fighting and electric running style, his willingness to take on his man and get stuck in the defensive stage.

Having extended his contract with Newcastle in October 2024, Howe must feel that he hit the jackpot with this amazing player.

Newcastle has come a long way over the past few years, but at Howe Engineering, the best may not have come yet with such an exciting and accurate signature with regularity that will escape many of its divisional rivals.