After two seasons of enchancment underneath Eddie Howe, Newcastle United’s 2025/26 season was marked by frustration within the ultimate third.
Though the Magpies have proven their acquainted power and work charge, they usually lack the attacking incisiveness that when made them such a risk, making objectives troublesome to come back by.
Their defensive consistency stays spectacular, with six clear sheets already this season, however that solidity has come at a worth.
The entrance line, rebuilt after the heartbreaking departure of Alexander Isak, continues to be looking for fluency.
Even with indicators of promise from new signings like Nick Woltemade, Newcastle’s anticipated objectives (xG) is down in comparison with this stage of final season, exhibiting how a lot they’re lacking a constant finisher.
Coach Howe acknowledged that the workforce is in a transition interval offensively and that rebuilding the offense will take time.
Nevertheless, with a purpose to meet up with their rivals, the membership is already planning for the longer term and investing closely in proficient younger gamers who can type the subsequent technology.
A kind of gamers has grow to be emblematic of Newcastle’s combined fortunes this season, symbolizing each their issues and potential up entrance.
Analyzing Elanga’s shaky begin to Newcastle
Expectations had been excessive when Anthony Elanga arrived on Tyneside.
The Swedish winger’s £55m transfer from Nottingham Forest was seen as a sign of intent to inject pace, directness and work-rate into Howe’s urgent system.
Nevertheless, early performances mirrored the workforce’s inconsistency.
Elanga’s decision-making within the ultimate third has usually been questionable, with moments of brilliance offset by sequence of frustrations.
His fundamental metrics replicate that imbalance, averaging 3.78 progressive carries however contributing only one help in 10 video games.
Anthony Elanga – 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
variety of matches performed | 7 |
minutes | 329 |
shot | 3 |
progressive carry | 14 |
progressive path | 6 |
Supply:FBref | |
Nonetheless, there are clear indicators of enchancment. Elanga’s off-ball motion has developed. He’s now making extra runs into the field and his urgent success charge is greater than final season.
These adjustments counsel that the gamers tailored to Howe’s calls for and honed their pure athleticism into one thing extra structured.
Elanga’s new focus coincides with Newcastle’s gradual tactical adjustments.
Howe has been experimenting with rotating his entrance three, giving Elanga license to change wings or transfer inside. It is a function harking back to how Miguel Almiron was used throughout Newcastle’s Champions League marketing campaign two seasons in the past.
He could not but be producing the constant finish product anticipated of a beginning winger, however Elanga’s improvement represents a microcosm of Newcastle’s wider attacking mission, which, whereas nonetheless not good, is clearly on the right track.
And whereas Elanga continues to evolve, one other participant stands out as the deciding think about Newcastle’s future.
Newcastle’s selfmade eranga
At simply 18 years previous, Trevan Sanusi is already being talked about as one of many brightest prospects to come back out of Newcastle’s academy lately.
A fast and direct winger with a watch for objective, Sanussi is a proficient and clever participant who’s snug connecting performs in tight areas in addition to taking part in in opposition to defenders.
The Birmingham-born participant began out at his hometown membership Birmingham Metropolis earlier than becoming a member of Newcastle in 2024, warding off curiosity from Manchester Metropolis, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United.
This consideration speaks volumes about his expertise and potential limitations.
Sanusi’s rise within the rankings has been regular and sure.
He has represented England at each youth stage as much as the Beneath-18s, making six appearances for the Beneath-18s since making his debut in opposition to Portugal in 2024.
With Newcastle, he appeared in three video games in Premier League 2 this season, after which moved on mortgage to France’s FC Lorient for the 2025-26 season, a transfer he made with a purpose to pace up his improvement.
An unlucky ankle sprain delayed his debut in Ligue 1, however Howe’s workers are already discovering the expertise of coaching in a brand new surroundings invaluable.
Previous to his mortgage, Sanusi made his first-team debut with Newcastle, approaching instead within the 69th minute of the second half in opposition to Bromley, exhibiting glimpses of his pace and composure on the high stage.
Described as a “large expertise” by the NUFC weblog, Sanusi’s strengths lie in his acceleration, exact management and direct dribbling, all of which Elanga displayed throughout his early days at Newcastle.
His capability to beat defenders one-on-one has generally been in contrast in authority to Allan Saint-Maximin, though his decision-making is taken into account extra mature.
Howe has already proven his religion in younger gamers, as evidenced by Lewis Miley’s 26 appearances for the primary workforce in 2023/24, and if he continues on that trajectory Sanusi may very well be his subsequent participant.
For a Newcastle facet in search of an attacking spark and long-term identification, Sanusi is each a reminder and a promise. The way forward for the membership isn’t just one thing to be purchased, it’s one thing to be constructed.
If Elanga can rediscover his cutting-edge abilities and Sanusi can fulfill his potential, Newcastle’s misfiring assault of at the moment may quickly grow to be tomorrow’s best energy.
